The Meghna River has ever been an important riverine route for goods transportation as well as an effective option for safe water supply; yet implementation of the master plan for its protection is yet to start due to a good number of challenges.
The Meghna River Master Plan was approved by the Chief Adviser in December, 2024 with the target to ensure water quality and smooth navigation and prevent encroachment on the riverbanks of the Meghna, which is said to be the world's most powerful river.
Besides, pollution control, ecosystem and riverbank protection have been planned under the master plan so that its fate does not be like that of the Buriganga River which has already been declared abandoned due to pollution.
The upper Meghna's link with Haor areas also made the river attractive for tourism too.
Official sources said since the approval, a high-level meeting was held with Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus in the chair in March last year giving top priority to the protection of the river but no such initiative has been taken so far.
Though the Master Plan was finalised through studies as well as stakeholders' discussions, its implementation challenges remain high for engagement of at least 22 government agencies and organisations, they added.
An official also said implementation of the master plan has many challenges mainly from industrialists having industries in Narsingdi and Narayanganj districts.
"Though main focus of the Master Plan is on three areas including navigation and water quality, its linkage are multi types and layered within the threes," he told the FE preferring not to be named.
The Meghna River Master Plan is a strategic multi sectoral initiative which was finally formulated over years of efforts overcoming challenges after several studies and reaching agreements from different quarters.
But sources said control of influential quarters including industrialists and locally influential political leaders is still high.
According to officials, though holistic efforts were not taken, Saidabad Water Treatment Plant project is under implementation to meet the Dhaka city's water need from the river.
Bangladesh Bridge Authority (BBA) has also outlined the Meghna Bridge Master Plan by major infrastructure projects, including three new Meghna River bridges by 2035 to boost regional connectivity, reduce Dhaka traffic, and bypass the Padma Bridge.
The key projects are likely to create link between South-West and South-East regions for trade and economic growth. Recently, a riverbank protection project was approved to protect erosion prone areas and Narayanganj Green Project for primary water supply.
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