The World Bank has approved $370 million in financing to improve sanitation and solid waste management services in Dhaka and surrounding areas. The decision was made at the organization’s executive board meeting in Washington, D.C. The funding will support the 'Metro Dhaka Water Security and Resilience' program, aimed at reducing water pollution, restoring rivers and canals, and strengthening the capacity of local and national institutions.

According to the World Bank, the initiative will provide improved sanitation for about 550,000 people and better waste management for another 500,000, prioritizing pollution-prone and underserved areas. The program will engage both public and private sectors, focusing on industrial waste treatment, water reuse, and awareness campaigns to prevent dumping and direct discharge into drainage networks. It will also establish digital real-time pollution monitoring and create an integrated restoration plan for Dhaka’s four main rivers.

The first phase will cover selected areas in Dhaka and Narayanganj, enhancing waste collection coverage and supporting communities near major rivers and canals. The project is part of Bangladesh’s broader water security and long-term environmental planning.