The government has formed an 11-member working group headed by an additional deputy commissioner (revenue) to restore the flow of canals in Dhaka and reclaim those from illegal encroachments.
According to a notification of the Ministry of Water Resources issued on Tuesday (November 5), the working group will also work to build ‘Blue Network’ centering the canals after making those free from illegal occupations and pollutions
The group has been asked to prepare the primary work plan after holding a workshop by three days and the final work plan by November 30 with holding dialogues with all stakeholders.
The other members of the working group include -- representatives from Bangladesh Water Development Board, Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority, Environment Department, National River Conservation Commission, Local Government Engineering Department, Dhaka North City Corporation, Dhaka South City Corporation, Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (RAJUK), one representative from an NGO or volunteer organisation, and a student representative (selected by the local administration).
Meanwhile, according the available statistics, there are 69 canals within the two city corporations' jurisdictions, but many of these have disappeared.
Of the existing ones, the DNCC oversees 29 canals and one water body, while the DSCC manages 11 canals. The DSCC later identified 14 more canals, bringing its total to 25.
