[🇧🇩] Water & River Management of Bangladesh

[Saif]

Political will urged to build second Padma bridge, barrage

A strong political commitment is essential to build the long-pending Padma barrage and the proposed second Padma bridge, said Bangladesh Nationalist Party secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Sunday...

www.newagebd.net

Political will urged to build second Padma bridge, barrage
Staff Correspondent 27 July, 2025, 23:34

Bangladesh Nationalist Party secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir addresses a seminar titled The Necessity of Implementing Padma Barrage and Second Padma Bridge at the BRAC Centre Inn at Mohakhali in Dhaka on Sunday. | New Age photo New Age specials

A strong political commitment is essential to build the long-pending Padma barrage and the proposed second Padma bridge, said Bangladesh Nationalist Party secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Sunday.

He said that the lives and livelihoods of nearly eight crore people were linked to the Padma barrage and the second Padma bridge, but very unfortunately no final decisions were made in these regards even after seven rounds of feasibility studies.

Speaking as the chief guest at a seminar titled ‘The Need for Implementation of the Padma Barrage and Second Padma Bridge’, at the BRAC Centre at Mohakhali in the capital, Fakhrul said that such critical infrastructures could only be built if citizens raise their voices and demand action.

He urged citizens to unite beyond political differences and remain firm in their demand, stressing that whichever government comes to power must take action on the issues.

Drawing attention to the environmental and human impact of the Farakka Barrage, Fakhrul said that the negative consequences of the barrage were no longer confined to districts like Faridpur or Rajbari but had also become a pressing issue for the entire southern region.

Recalling that Maulana Bhasani took the Farakka Barrage issue to the international stage, Fakhrul observed that there should be a similar public awakening for the proposed Padma projects.

He said that the movement should continue in the spirit of Bhasani’s movement, adding that united efforts could make anything possible.

Fakhrul reiterated that his party had pledged to build a second Padma bridge.

Centre for Policy Dialogue distinguished fellow Dr Debapriya Bhattacharya raised concerns over the lack of discussions and preparations regarding the renewal of the Ganges Water Treaty, set to expire next year.

He said that the Farakka Barrage in India severely affected up to one-third of Bangladesh’s people and land, yet no technical or strategic dialogue was taking place to safeguard national interests in future negotiations.

Commenting on the Padma barrage project, Debapriya called for its inclusion in the revised budget, expected after the general elections in February, 2026, and stressed the need for a new medium-term development plan.

Eminent water expert and former BRAC University vice-chancellor Professor Ainun Nishat warned that without the construction of the proposed Ganges barrage, the future of Bangladesh’s southwestern region could be bleak.

He said that areas such as Satkhira, Khulna, Bagerhat, and Barguna were already experiencing negative population growth as people are fleeing the areas due to uninhabitable conditions.

He criticised the lack of political will behind the failure to implement the barrage project, saying that technical experts might provide analysis but the decisions on such infrastructures were ultimately political.

Referring to the 1996 water-sharing treaty with India, Ainun Nishat said that although Bangladesh was to receive 35,000 cusecs of water, it had often received far less.

Delivering just 10,000 cusecs to the Jashore-Khulna region could help protect the area, he added.

Economist and BRAC chair Hossain Zillur Rahman said that Bangladesh was experiencing a political turning point, where the main concern was not just the political structure but also the direction and nature of future politics.

He emphasised the importance of capable and transparent leadership, pointing out that political governance should reflect the hopes and expectations of the people.

The seminar was chaired by the National Committee for the Implementation of the Padma Barrage and Second Padma Bridge president Ali Nawaz Mahmud Khaiyam.

Speakers at the event included Revolutionary Workers Party of Bangladesh general secretary Saiful Haque, Ganosamhati Andolan chief coordinator Zonayed Saki, North South University vice-chancellor Professor Abdul Hannan Chowdhury and Water Development Board former director general Mahfuzur Rahman.​

 

[Saif]

Managing water is like managing life: Time to rethink urgently

I am writing this article to convey a very strong message. Water is a natural resource.

www.thedailystar.net

Managing water is like managing life: Time to rethink urgently

 

[Saif]

Attention must be paid to river to reap benefits of canal excavation

Before the upcoming election on 12 February, political parties in the country are releasing their election manifestos and using them in their campaigns. Naturally, the election manifesto and promises from the BNP are drawing special attention from the public. One of the election promises...

en.prothomalo.com

Attention must be paid to river to reap benefits of canal excavation
Nazrul Islam
Published: 28 Jan 2026, 07: 53

Before the upcoming election on 12 February, political parties in the country are releasing their election manifestos and using them in their campaigns. Naturally, the election manifesto and promises from the BNP are drawing special attention from the public.

One of the election promises announced by the BNP is to excavate 20,000 kilometers of canals throughout the country. On 20 January, at a prayer and discussion event organised by the Banani Society in memory of former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia in Banani, Dhaka, Tarique Rahman made this announcement.

To explain why canal excavation is necessary, he primarily mentioned issues of waterlogging and drainage problems in urban areas. He stated, "The canal digging programme initiated by my father, the late President Ziaur Rahman, was significant for people across different regions of the country. Residents of Dhaka city also feel the necessity of canals now, as problems have been created due to the closure of canal after canal. Therefore, if the BNP is able to form the government with the people's vote in the upcoming elections, 20,000 kilometers of canals will be excavated throughout Bangladesh." (Source: bnpbd.org//all-news)

Canals are an important part of Bangladesh's flowing water bodies. From the perspective of size, flow volume, and function, some canals are even more crucial than many rivers. Despite that, there is a fundamental difference between canals and rivers. Rivers are entirely natural constructs, whereas canals are generally man-made.

In the 1950s, foreign agencies and consultants disregarded this reality and imposed the ''enclosure approach'' with so-called ''water development'' projects. This method of permanently separating floodplains from riverbeds through embankments has proven unsuitable for Bangladesh, being a primary cause of the degradation of the river system and the expansion of waterlogging in urban and rural areas.

That's why we talk about constructing canals but not rivers. To clarify this man-made characteristic, many canals are referred to as ''cut canals.'' In many places, canals were cut so far back in the past that they now appear to be part of nature. Sometimes even natural rivers are referred to as canals.

Regardless, like rivers and small water channels, canals are significant components of the country's river system. Hence, canal excavation should be considered a part of the rejuvenation of the river system in the country. Without re-establishing connections with rivers, merely excavating canals within cities will not solve the problems of waterlogging and drainage. This raises the question—where will the water in the canals go? (See my article, ‘Where Will the Canal Water Go?’ The Daily Star, 10 August 2009)

Let's consider Dhaka city. At one time, there were nearly 50 canals running through this city, connecting it to the Buriganga, Turag, Tongi Khal, and Balu rivers. Due to neglect and encroachment, these canals have been deteriorating for a long time. Following the flood of 1988, the ''Greater Dhaka Western Embankment'' was constructed, severing Dhaka's canals from the Buriganga and Turag rivers.

Later, a project was also enacted to disconnect the eastern side from the Balu river, although environmentalists recommended constructing it as an elevated expressway to maintain the city's connection with the rivers. Because of these embankments, the flow of water from Dhaka’s canals to the rivers virtually stopped, exacerbating the waterlogging issue. In this reality, merely excavating canals will not resolve Dhaka's waterlogging; the connections with surrounding rivers must be restored.

The programme for digging 20,000 kilometers of canals signifies a nationwide initiative. It shouldn't require such extensive excavation solely for the restoration of urban canals. Ziaur Rahman’s canal excavation programme was also spread across the nation. Along with canals, he initiated the re-excavation of rivers, such as the Brahmaputra. The question is, what will be the overarching purpose and specific targets of canal excavation?

To find answers, attention must be given to two fundamental characteristics of Bangladesh's rivers. One is the extreme seasonality of flow, with approximately 80 per cent of annual rainfall occurring in just four months. Moreover, nearly 93 per cent of our rivers' water source areas lie outside the country's borders, further amplifying the seasonal variations. The second characteristic is the large amount of silt load. Despite some reduction due to upstream interventions, around one billion tonnes of silt still arrive in Bangladesh annually.

Because of these two characteristics, an "open approach" is suitable for Bangladesh’s river systems, allowing river water to overflow into floodplains during the rainy season, depositing silt, raising land elevation, and replenishing all reservoirs including groundwater. Stored water aids river flow in the dry season and supports activities like irrigation.

Due to this institutional void, villages have become somewhat disempowered, looking upwards for any collective effort. To make the canal excavation programme successful, we must consider re-introducing village governments. However, care must be taken to ensure these do not become centres of corruption and political division. The aim of this system should be the optimal use of resources available within villages through collective effort, rather than relying on government funds.

Meanwhile, less silt is deposited in the riverbed, maintaining river depth.

To address this reality, the people of Bangladesh historically developed the eight-month embankment approach. During the four months of the rainy season, these embankments were opened to let silt-laden water enter the floodplains. For the remaining eight months, the embankments were closed to store water.

However, in the 1950s, foreign agencies and consultants disregarded this reality and imposed the ''enclosure approach'' with so-called ''water development'' projects. This method of permanently separating floodplains from riverbeds through embankments has proven unsuitable for Bangladesh, being a primary cause of the degradation of the river system and the expansion of waterlogging in urban and rural areas.

There should be a return to the open approach to eliminate waterlogging and rejuvenate rivers and floodplains. The canal excavation programme could support this return, but if used otherwise, it may become aimless.

The success of canal excavation is closely linked to another factor: the use of the soil excavated. Often, this soil is left on canal banks, only to wash back into the canals, negating the benefits of the excavation. Utilising this soil to raise the plinths of villages located in floodplain and tidal areas can also help mitigate the impacts of climate change.

However, implementing these actions requires effective institutional structures at the village level. Currently, the local government system is limited to the union level, creating a void in joint management of people, land, and water in villages. Ziaur Rahman's ''self-reliant village government'' initiative is noteworthy here. This system emphasised the joint utilisation of available labour and resources within villages. Since its abolishment in 1982, no effective local government structure has been established at the village level.

Due to this institutional void, villages have become somewhat disempowered, looking upwards for any collective effort. To make the canal excavation programme successful, we must consider re-introducing village governments. However, care must be taken to ensure these do not become centres of corruption and political division. The aim of this system should be the optimal use of resources available within villages through collective effort, rather than relying on government funds.

Overall, to make the 20,000-kilometer canal excavation programme meaningful and effective, its technical and environmental objectives need to be clarified on one hand, and the necessary institutional reforms must be given serious consideration on the other.

#Dr. Nazrul Islam is a professor, Institute of Asian Growth Research and Former Head of UN Development Research​

 

[Saif]

Restoration of rivers and canals

As part of river and canal restoration in and around the capital city, a programme is on the move with the World Bank (WB) committing a loan to the tune of $370 million. A report carried in this newspaper on Sunday claims that the fund may be approved by the WB Board within this month. The interim

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

Restoration of rivers and canals

Published :
Feb 03, 2026 00:31
Updated :
Feb 03, 2026 00:31

As part of river and canal restoration in and around the capital city, a programme is on the move with the World Bank (WB) committing a loan to the tune of $370 million. A report carried in this newspaper on Sunday claims that the fund may be approved by the WB Board within this month. The interim government has no time to execute the programme but its successful negotiation for clinching the deal is quite a positive development. In the past, several attempts made to restore the health of the four rivers out of the five ultimately fizzled out due to fund constraint and, more importantly, a lack of political will. When the High Court (HC) declared all rivers 'living entities' or 'legal persons' in its landmark verdict in 2019, there was hope that the conservation of rivers would gain pace. The National River Conservation Commission (NRCC) created also on the directive of the HC in 2013 through the passage of a legislature in parliament was made the legal guardian of all the rivers by the 2019 verdict.

Apart from conducting a river census and some eviction drive on the banks of Buriganga, Turag and Sitalakhya along with posting of demarcation pillars on the banks of the first two rivers, nothing substantial was achieved from the drives. Then there was a lull with the NRCC proving a toothless tiger. There was no fund for the guardian of rivers. The chairman of the NRCC expressed his exasperation because of a lack of fund and manpower to carry out programmes he envisioned. It is exactly against this background, the fund negotiated now should be considered. Meanwhile, both encroachment and pollution have increased and the rivers are gasping for breath. Even the few canals that were cleaned, restoring unhindered water flow have reverted to cesspools with the indiscriminate dumping of solid garbage and liquid waste and effluent.

Indifference on the part of both city corporations and the public to the rivers and canals tells the story. Whereas city corporations and governments in the developed world treat rivers that girdle or run through cities reverently, people in this part of the world use these natural gifts mindlessly. Now the question is if the money coming from the WB will be spent judiciously. Any project of this order demands dedication and engineering excellence for the restoration job. Even half-hearted dredging that was carried out during the past regime showed how layers of polythene and plastic deposition into the Buriganga's bed choked the river's flow and destroyed the habitat of aquatic living organisms.

This WB fund is unlikely to solve the problems facing the five rivers around the city. But considering the importance of these rivers including Dhaleswari, now being polluted by effluent from Savar leather park, a comprehensive package programme should be taken up. No industry should be allowed to release untreated effluent into the rivers. The malfunctioning central effluent treatment plant at Savar leather industrial park should either be rectified or a new one established in case the existing one defies retrofitting. If the rivers are not allowed to regain their flow and water quality, the city's existence will be imperilled at some point. To that end, the NRCC should be empowered as outlined in the legislature and made accountable for conservation of rivers and other water bodies.​

 

[Saif]

Reviving lost canals and rivers

Waterlogging and submergence of the capital city's roads even after a moderate rainfall have long been a common complaint of city-dwellers. Water experts and others concerned have also been advising successive governments time and again to identify and revive the long lost canals and drainage syste

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

Reviving lost canals and rivers

FE
Published :
Mar 03, 2026 23:08
Updated :
Mar 03, 2026 23:08

Waterlogging and submergence of the capital city's roads even after a moderate rainfall have long been a common complaint of city-dwellers. Water experts and others concerned have also been advising successive governments time and again to identify and revive the long lost canals and drainage systems to rid the city of the constant problem of waterlogging and protect it from the danger of submersion. Notably, there were efforts earlier to restore Dhaka's natural drainage networks including the Begunbari and Segunbagicha Khal with a view to reversing the ongoing acts of encroachment and thus reconnecting those to rivers like the Buriganga, Turag and Balu. Mention may also be made of the past long-term drainage master plans sponsored by the JICA and the World Bank to address the shrinking canal network of Dhaka. However, it is not just an issue of the capital city alone. In fact, the entire country faces the problem as the natural canals and rivers that once crisscrossed the nation have been lost to unplanned construction of roads and other physical infrastructures by past governments. Land grabbers are also equally responsible. But projects and master plans undertaken in the past to reverse the trend could never see the light of day thanks to the inaction by the previous governments.

Against the backdrop, it is a heartening piece of information that the incumbent BNP government has not wasted any time taking steps to implement its election promise of restoring the lost canals and rivers upon assuming office. The Ministry of Water Resources has undertaken a technical assistant project, titled, 'Identification and Classification of Canals of Bangladesh and Preparation of a Geoinformatics Database' worth Tk315.7 million as approved by the Planning Commission (PC) to classify canals and create a geo-informatics (GIS) database for the purpose. The project is to be implemented by the Water Development Board (BWDB). The Agriculture, Water Resources and the Rural Institutions Division of the Planning Commission will be extending the required support for the work.

The said digital database, would, as planned, integrate with the existing database for national river management system. The overall objective, reportedly, is to identify and map the origin, outfall, flow path, basin and sub-basin of canals using the GIS. In the process, all the canals, some 30,000 of them, would be classified into three categories-large, medium and small. The idea is to assess the canals' capacity for flood control, irrigation and drainage. It is expected that once the exact information about the location of the lost as well as running rivers, derelict and functioning canals is to hand, it would be possible to bring the country's waterways under a comprehensive management framework. Also, the measure, it is believed, would go to help future work of planning, conservation, irrigation and flood control.

The effort would help restore natural waterways, reduce waterlogging, boost agriculture and protect environment as spearheaded by the new government's commitment to revive the 'voluntary canal excavation programme' introduced by late president Ziaur Rahman. To this end, the government has set a target to excavate and re-excavate 20,000 km of waterways within the present government's tenure. In the first phase, the government has a target to excavate 1,000 km of canal within 180 days. It all sounds good and the incumbent government's promptness in undertaking the river and canal revival project as part of its election pledge is indeed praiseworthy and welcome. However, as the proverbial pudding's proof is in its eating, it is hoped, the new BNP government would be as good as its word throughout its current term in office.​

 

[Bilal9]

Political will urged to build second Padma bridge, barrage

A strong political commitment is essential to build the long-pending Padma barrage and the proposed second Padma bridge, said Bangladesh Nationalist Party secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Sunday...

www.newagebd.net

Political will urged to build second Padma bridge, barrage
Staff Correspondent 27 July, 2025, 23:34

View attachment 20717
Bangladesh Nationalist Party secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir addresses a seminar titled The Necessity of Implementing Padma Barrage and Second Padma Bridge at the BRAC Centre Inn at Mohakhali in Dhaka on Sunday. | New Age photo New Age specials

A strong political commitment is essential to build the long-pending Padma barrage and the proposed second Padma bridge, said Bangladesh Nationalist Party secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Sunday.

He said that the lives and livelihoods of nearly eight crore people were linked to the Padma barrage and the second Padma bridge, but very unfortunately no final decisions were made in these regards even after seven rounds of feasibility studies.

Speaking as the chief guest at a seminar titled ‘The Need for Implementation of the Padma Barrage and Second Padma Bridge’, at the BRAC Centre at Mohakhali in the capital, Fakhrul said that such critical infrastructures could only be built if citizens raise their voices and demand action.

He urged citizens to unite beyond political differences and remain firm in their demand, stressing that whichever government comes to power must take action on the issues.

Drawing attention to the environmental and human impact of the Farakka Barrage, Fakhrul said that the negative consequences of the barrage were no longer confined to districts like Faridpur or Rajbari but had also become a pressing issue for the entire southern region.

Recalling that Maulana Bhasani took the Farakka Barrage issue to the international stage, Fakhrul observed that there should be a similar public awakening for the proposed Padma projects.

He said that the movement should continue in the spirit of Bhasani’s movement, adding that united efforts could make anything possible.

Fakhrul reiterated that his party had pledged to build a second Padma bridge.

Centre for Policy Dialogue distinguished fellow Dr Debapriya Bhattacharya raised concerns over the lack of discussions and preparations regarding the renewal of the Ganges Water Treaty, set to expire next year.

He said that the Farakka Barrage in India severely affected up to one-third of Bangladesh’s people and land, yet no technical or strategic dialogue was taking place to safeguard national interests in future negotiations.

Commenting on the Padma barrage project, Debapriya called for its inclusion in the revised budget, expected after the general elections in February, 2026, and stressed the need for a new medium-term development plan.

Eminent water expert and former BRAC University vice-chancellor Professor Ainun Nishat warned that without the construction of the proposed Ganges barrage, the future of Bangladesh’s southwestern region could be bleak.

He said that areas such as Satkhira, Khulna, Bagerhat, and Barguna were already experiencing negative population growth as people are fleeing the areas due to uninhabitable conditions.

He criticised the lack of political will behind the failure to implement the barrage project, saying that technical experts might provide analysis but the decisions on such infrastructures were ultimately political.

Referring to the 1996 water-sharing treaty with India, Ainun Nishat said that although Bangladesh was to receive 35,000 cusecs of water, it had often received far less.

Delivering just 10,000 cusecs to the Jashore-Khulna region could help protect the area, he added.

Economist and BRAC chair Hossain Zillur Rahman said that Bangladesh was experiencing a political turning point, where the main concern was not just the political structure but also the direction and nature of future politics.

He emphasised the importance of capable and transparent leadership, pointing out that political governance should reflect the hopes and expectations of the people.

The seminar was chaired by the National Committee for the Implementation of the Padma Barrage and Second Padma Bridge president Ali Nawaz Mahmud Khaiyam.

Speakers at the event included Revolutionary Workers Party of Bangladesh general secretary Saiful Haque, Ganosamhati Andolan chief coordinator Zonayed Saki, North South University vice-chancellor Professor Abdul Hannan Chowdhury and Water Development Board former director general Mahfuzur Rahman.​

I think the thoughts of looting the country with another mega project is crossing many many minds.