Projects taken to reduce navigation crisis, JS told

BSS, Dhaka :
Water Resources Minister Anisul Islam Mahmood told the Jatiya Sangsad that the government has undertaken various projects to mitigate navigability crisis in the country’s rivers. Initiatives have been taken to curb navigation crisis and restore navigability of rivers in the country, he said this on Monday while replying to a question from treasury bench member MA Malek in the House. The minister said the government has undertaken a project to dredge major rivers in the country involving Taka 27.38 crore. “The survey of the project ‘Capital Dredging and River Sustainable Management in Bangladesh’ under the WDB is about to complete,” he said.
“The consultant firm of the project submitted the final report and if it is accepted then 24 rivers would be dredged,” Anisul Islam Mahmood said. The Padma, Ganga, Brahmaputra-Jamuna, Old Brahmaputra, Meghna (Upper), Meghna (Lower), Karnaphuli, Atrai, Ghagat, Teesta, Dudh-Kumar, Dharla, Hura Sagor, Titas, Tongi khal, Shitalakhshya, Zuri, Dhonu, Dhalai, Bhugai Kongsh, Monu, Dakatia, Madaripur Beel Route and Ghasiakhali rivers would be dredged under the project. Besides, the Water Development Board (WDB) has been implementing some projects to dredge various rivers to bring back the navigability by river training and removing silts through these projects.
The projects include Capital (Pilot) Dredging of River System in Bangladesh, Buriganga River Restoration Project (New Dhaleswari-Pungli-Bangash, Turag-Buriganga River System), Procurement of Dredgers and Ancillary Equipment for River Dredging of Bangladesh, Kalni-Kushiara River Dredging, Procurement of 6 nos.
Other projects are Dredgers and Ancillary Crafts and Accessories of Ministry of Water Resources and Ministry of Shipping (BWDB-2 nos), Gorai River Restoration Project (phase-II), Dredging/Re-excavation of Chadana-Barasia River and Re-excavation of Bhairab River, the minister added.