Shafikul Islam

The 112-kilometre Circular Waterway around Dhaka, a project with immense potential linking five rivers and connecting four river ports, is losing its significance due to neglect and ineffective planning by authorities, experts say.

The previous government, they said, failed to deliver a fully functional circular waterway despite initial promises.

Significant funds were allocated, but the focus remained on mega projects rather than city-centric initiatives like this waterway, according to them.

Urban planners believe the Circular Waterway could have been transformative in easing Dhaka's traffic congestion and revitalising its waterways, but inadequate planning and execution have rendered the project less impactful, undermining its purpose and potential benefits.

The implementing authorities claimed that 7,000 out of 10,000 waterways have been made operational. But the Dhaka circular waterway's speed boat service, launched in 2022 with five high-speed vessels on two private routes—Tongi, Abdullahpur-Kodda, and Tongi/Abdullahpur (Gazipur)-Ulukhul (Kaliganj)—has struggled to attract passengers.

The first initiative to build circular waterways around the capital and launch water bus services was taken in 2000, with two waterbuses operating on the Ashulia-Sadarghat route in 2004. But these services were suspended shortly after.

The route was reopened with two waterbuses in 2010, but efforts to revive it multiple times proved unsuccessful. In the first phase, a 30-kilometre route from Sadarghat to Ashulia was established at Tk 40 crore, while a 40-kilometre Tongi-Rajakhali-Demra-Kanchpur route was built at Tk 54 crore in the second phase.

Meanwhile, the Hatirjheel water taxi service, launched in 2016, has gained popularity for both communication and leisure. Sixteen water taxis/buses operate daily from 6:00 am to 10:00 pm, connecting Karwan Bazar, Moghbazar, Eskaton, Bangla Motor, and Tejgaon with Badda, Gulshan, Rampura, and nearby areas.

Passengers believe Hatirjheel’s success could pave the way for reopening similar routes across the city, providing an affordable and convenient travel option for Dhaka residents.

The previous government initiated a $2 billion project to establish 91 kilometres of inner circular roads by 2030, integrating road and rail communication with the city’s waterways.

The Water Development Board plans to develop 24 kilometres of roads, including embankments and elevated routes from Beribadh on the city’s eastern side to the elevated expressway, while the Roads and Highways Department will construct the remaining 67 kilometres.

Roads will connect Teromukh to Demra via Dhaur, Gabtali, Sadarghat, Postagola, and Chashara, with the Water Development Board focusing on embankments and elevated roads along Dhaka’s eastern fringe.

In 2018, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs approved an 80-kilometre circular rail track aligned with these roads under a public-private partnership. The project, estimated to cost $8.36 billion following a pre-feasibility study, will include 20 stations.

According to sources at the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA), progress on the project has been hampered by politically connected local stakeholders occupying river areas. For instance, recovering a 2.5-kilometre stretch of the Tongi Canal in Mausaud Mouza, Uttarkhan, has proven challenging.

A lawsuit by a prominent company in the Tongi area has delayed access to a 1-kilometre section of the Turag River. Despite these obstacles, significant progress has been made, with remaining issues being addressed politically as the interim government remains committed to expediting the project.

But the declining utility of Dhaka's surrounding rivers is evident. The number of cargo vessels has dropped drastically, and passenger vessels are almost non-existent for short distances.

Speaking on November 8 after inspecting World Bank project activities at the Dockyard and Engineering Workshop (DEW) and DEPTC in Narayanganj's Sonakanda, Shipping Adviser Brigadier General (retd) M Sakhawat Hossain highlighted the challenges of clearing seaports, river ports and land ports.

He emphasised addressing irregularities and encroachments as a priority. "We are gradually tackling these issues, but change cannot happen overnight. Three months into our efforts, we are still working diligently. Walkways and rivers will soon be free from encroachment."

On the same day, a human chain was organised at Sowarighat on the banks of the Buriganga River by Bangladesh Environment Movement (BAPA) and Buriganga Bachao Andolan. Participants called for immediate measures to curb encroachment and pollution while demanding the launch of a circular waterway around the capital.

Mihir Biswas, president of Buriganga Bachao Andolan, criticised the government’s slow implementation of plans despite publicised promises. He urged authorities to prioritise river restoration by redefining boundaries and completing the list of encroachments as per the High Court’s directive.

Talking to UNB, Mohammad Azaz, chairman of the River and Delta Research Center (RDRC), stressed the need to reactivate the Dhaka Circular Waterway project. He noted that the interim government’s interest presents an opportune moment to revive environmentally friendly river tourism and ensure effective project implementation.

Adil Muhammad Khan, president of the Bangladesh Institute of Planners (BIP), attributed the past failures of the project to insufficient vessel availability and inadequate secondary feeder services.

Highlighting the success of Hatirjheel’s water taxi service, he underscored the need to complete the 2015 project to protect the banks of Buriganga, Turag, Dhaleshwari, Shitalakshya, and Balu rivers.

"An operational waterway will reduce road congestion and lower transportation costs for goods. Quality service will encourage a large number of passengers to opt for affordable river travel," he told this Correspondent.