State Minister for Shipping Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury disclosed a concerning revelation in Parliament on Tuesday, stating that a total of 308 rivers in Bangladesh have lost navigability. This startling revelation highlights a significant issue affecting waterways across the country.
According to the minister’s statement, Dhaka division is particularly affected, with 85 rivers facing navigability challenges, followed by Rangpur division with 71, Rajshahi division with 18, Chittagong division with 11, Sylhet division with 10, Mymensingh division with 26, and Khulna division with 87 rivers losing their navigability.
While Bangladesh is home to a total of 1,008 rivers according to the National River Commission, the alarming loss of navigability affects almost one-third of these water bodies. In response to this crisis, the government has taken steps to address the issue, with a concept paper outlining the dredging of 491 rivers. Notably, the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) has already completed 3,733km of river dredging.
State Minister Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury emphasized the government’s commitment to riverine communication and navigability, outlining ongoing and upcoming projects. In the current financial year (2023-2024), BIWTA has 14 development projects under implementation. Over the past 15 years, a total of 35 projects under the Annual Development Program (ADP) and five initiatives by the shipping ministry have been launched to enhance river navigability.
In a bid to normalize the country’s riverine communication system, the government’s concept paper aims to dig 491 rivers. According to this plan, BIWTA will undertake the dredging of 178 rivers, while the Water Development Board will address the navigability issues of 313 rivers. This comprehensive approach seeks to address the navigability crisis and ensure the vitality of Bangladesh’s waterways.
