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The government has decided to open Dhaka’s surrounding waterways to private water bus services, aiming to revitalise river transport and ease the capital’s growing traffic congestion.
The decision was taken at a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman at the Bangladesh Secretariat on Sunday, according to Deputy Press Secretary Shahadat Hossain Shadhin.
As part of the initiative, interested private companies will be invited to submit proposals, which will be reviewed before granting permission to operate on designated routes.
The government also plans to restore and maintain the navigability of rivers around Dhaka to ensure smooth water transport and improve overall urban mobility.
Emphasising a coordinated approach, the Prime Minister directed relevant authorities to curb river pollution, improve the city’s drainage system, and ensure uninterrupted water flow. He stressed that reviving waterways must go hand in hand with protecting river ecosystems and strengthening urban management.
To enhance the environment and aesthetic appeal of riverbanks, the Prime Minister also instructed officials to plant diverse tree species along newly developed walkways.
The meeting was attended by Road Transport, Railways and Shipping Minister Shaikh Rabiul Alam, State Minister for Environment Shaikh Faridul Islam, Dhaka South City Corporation Administrator Abdus Salam, Dhaka North City Corporation Administrator Md Safiqul Islam Khan, Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Rumon, and senior officials from relevant agencies.