Circular Waterway Project around Dhaka fades amid neglect, poor planning

The 112-kilometre Circular Waterway around the capital city 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, reports UNB.
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 waterbus 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 400 million, while a 40-kilometre Tongi-Rajakhali-Demra-Kanchpur route was built at Tk 540 million 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.