DCCI Calls for Canal Revival to Cut Transport Costs, Boost Economy

DCCI President Taskeen Ahmed said the condition of more than 1,415 rivers in riverine Bangladesh is alarming. He noted that due to prolonged neglect, unplanned encroachment, and siltation, more than 55% of the country's rivers and canals have lost their functionality.

He said 77% of the country's freight is transported by road because inland waterways remain underdeveloped, making transportation more expensive and environmentally damaging.

Describing the government's canal excavation initiative as highly promising, Taskeen Ahmed said its successful implementation would help control floods, improve irrigation, and revitalise the river-based rural economy. He added that transporting goods by waterways costs 55-60% less than by road and is four to six times more fuel-efficient, significantly reducing the cost of doing business.

He also emphasised the need to strengthen supply chain and logistics management and establish agro-based industries along riverbanks to boost inland waterway transportation.

He made this remarks at a seminar titled "Role of Canal Excavation Programme in the Revival of Bangladesh's Circular Waterways (Dhaka) and the Expansion of Inland Waterways Trade," organised by the Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) at its auditorium on Wednesday (July 29, 2026).

The government is not merely excavating canals; it is also forming committees comprising local representatives and government officials to ensure their long-term preservation, while simultaneously implementing a programme to plant 250 million (25 crore) trees to protect the environment.

Speaking as the chief guest, Water Resources Minister Md Shahid Uddin Chowdhury Anee MP, said the canals surrounding Dhaka, which serve as the city's lifelines, have become largely unusable due to encroachment and pollution. However, in line with its election manifesto, the government plans to excavate 20,000 kilometres of canals across the country. He stressed that ensuring interconnectivity among the canals would be essential to maximise the benefits of the programme.

The minister said the government is forming committees comprising local representatives and government agencies to oversee the maintenance of canals after excavation, alongside an ongoing programme to plant 250 million (25 crore) trees for environmental protection. He added that canal and river dredging activities are generating employment and stimulating the rural economy.

He also stressed the need for strict vigilance to prevent industrial waste from being discharged into rivers. The government, he said, is working to provide technological support to help small industries install Effluent Treatment Plants (ETPs) at an affordable cost. He further said research and technical assistance are essential for implementing the Padma Barrage and the Teesta Master Plan, both of which are government priorities.

During the panel discussion, experts including Mohammad Alamgir, Chief Scientific Officer of the Water Resources Planning Organization; Kazi Golam Nasir, former Chief Architect of the Department of Architecture; Prof Mohammad Abed Hossain of the Institute of Water and Flood Management, BUET; Md Motalib Hossain Sarkar, Acting Executive Director of the Center for Environmental and Geographic Information Services; Md Tanim Sarwar, Senior Specialist at the Institute of Water Modelling; Captain Shawkat Iqbal, Chairman of Altafuel Dredging and Marine Services; and Architect Iqbal Habib, Founder Partner of Vitti Sthapati Brinda Ltd., shared their views.