Prime Minister Tarique Rahman ordered authorities to make waterways around Dhaka operational, while directing steps to prevent river pollution, improve drainage and maintain navigability and normal water flow. The instructions were issued at a Sunday meeting on reopening waterways around the capital, chaired by the prime minister at the Cabinet Division’s special meeting room in the Bangladesh Secretariat.

According to Deputy Press Secretary Shahadat Swadhin, the meeting decided to revive the waterways surrounding Dhaka. It also decided to consider proposals from interested private companies and allow them to operate water buses on the routes. The prime minister instructed relevant authorities to examine ways to prevent pollution in Dhaka’s rivers and improve the drainage system.

He also directed that various species of trees be planted beside walkways built around the rivers to support environmental protection and enhance the beauty of riverbanks. The meeting was attended by Road Transport and Bridges, Railways and Shipping Minister Sheikh Rabiul Alam, State Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Sheikh Faridul Islam, city corporation administrators and senior officials from relevant ministries and agencies.