To make dredging effective

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THE government is expected, as its leaders say, to start dredging the rivers. But, the existing dredging fleet can hardly undertake the massive activity needed. The first priority should be to procure the needed dredger fleet as quickly as possible. The training of operators and support personnel is equally important. The rivers need regular dredging. Casual dredging cannot keep the rivers navigable. The national budget ought to allocate the needed funds.
Prior planning is needed for good results. Dredged silt, left in large heaps on the river banks in the past, was washed back into the rivers. The exercises turned out to be wasteful and counter-productive. The planning must ensure proper disposal of the silt. It can be utilised for land reclamation or raising low land or enhancing soil fertility.
Md Ibrahim
Azimpur, Dhaka