DCCI calls for reviving waterways to boost inland trade

Coordinated approach to river conservation stressed

FE REPORT | Published: July 29, 2026 23:56:15

The Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) on Wednesday urged the government to accelerate the revival of the country's rivers and canals through coordinated planning and stronger public-private collaboration, saying an efficient inland water transport network could significantly reduce logistics costs and enhance trade competitiveness.
The call came at a seminar titled "Canal Excavation in Bangladesh: Revitalizing Circular Waterways and Inland Trade" held at the DCCI auditorium in Dhaka.
Speaking as the chief guest, Water Resources Minister Md. Shahiduddin Chowdhury Anee said the government has undertaken an initiative to excavate 20,000 kilometres of canals across the country, in line with its election manifesto, to restore inland waterways and improve connectivity.
"The canals surrounding Dhaka are like the arteries of the city, carrying the lifeblood of its daily economic and social activities. Ensuring interconnectivity among canals across the country is essential to maximise the benefits of this programme," the minister said.
He said committees comprising local government representatives and relevant government agencies have been formed to ensure proper implementation and long-term conservation of the canal excavation programme.
He also said a nationwide plantation programme involving 250 million trees is underway to protect the environment and pledged tougher action against industries dumping untreated waste into rivers.
The government is also working to provide technological support to help small industries install effluent treatment plants (ETPs) at affordable costs, he added.
Presenting the keynote paper, DCCI President Taskeen Ahmed said the condition of more than 1,415 rivers in Bangladesh has become alarming due to years of neglect, encroachment and sedimentation, with over 55 per cent of the country's rivers and canals losing navigability.
As a result, nearly 77 per cent of the country's freight is now transported by road, making logistics more expensive and environmentally damaging, he said. He noted that transporting goods by waterways costs 55-60 per cent less than road transport and is four to six times more fuel-efficient, making inland waterways a cost-effective alternative for businesses.
Taskeen Ahmed stressed the importance of developing an integrated transport network centred on the 112-kilometre waterway connecting the four rivers surrounding Dhaka. He also called for stronger coordination among government agencies and greater private sector participation in waterway infrastructure development.
Among the panel discussants, architect Iqbal Habib called for a single lead institution with adequate authority to oversee river management, saying the current involvement of multiple agencies has weakened accountability. He also urged strengthening the National River Conservation Commission and avoiding the construction of low-height culverts and bridges that obstruct natural river flow.
Former Chief Architect Kazi Golam Nasir described river water as a valuable national resource and stressed a coordinated approach to river conservation alongside greater accountability among relevant agencies. Professor Mohammed Abed Hossain of BUET said overlapping institutional responsibilities continue to hamper inland waterway projects and called for clearly defined mandates and effective waste management policies to support river conservation.
Md Taneem Sarwar of the Institute of Water Modelling (IWM) highlighted the need to use Geographic Information System (GIS) and other modern technologies to demarcate river boundaries and monitor river morphology.
Md Motaleb Hossain Sarker of the Centre for Environmental and Geographic Information Services (CEGIS) proposed establishing an effective river management commission and promoting public-private partnership (PPP) investment for modernising river infrastructure.
Mohammad Alamgir of the Water Resources Planning Organization (WARPO) stressed the need for integrated planning and stronger monitoring of river management infrastructure.
During the open discussion, former DCCI vice-president M Abu Hurairah underscored the need for capital dredging of the Buriganga River.
The seminar was attended by DCCI Senior Vice-President Razeev H Chowdhury, Vice-President Md Salem Sulaiman, members of the DCCI board, policymakers, academics and representatives from the public and private sectors.