Govt rolls out major plan to combat river pollution

The government is advancing a set of plans to prevent river pollution and increase water flow in the rivers surrounding Dhaka — Buriganga, Turag, Balu, Shitalakshya and Dhaleshwari — which are vital for the capital's drainage, water transport, environment and biodiversity.

However, these rivers are currently in critical condition due to industrial waste, sewage, household garbage and illegal structures along their banks.

To tackle the problem, the government has adopted short-, medium- and long-term plans. Under the short-term plan, waste discharge points into the rivers will be sealed off. Joint operations will be conducted first in the Turag, Buriganga and Dhaleshwari rivers, followed by the Balu and Shitalakshya rivers.

As part of these coordinated drives, lists of polluting factories, dockyards, institutions and organisations are being updated, and regular operations will be carried out. Legal action will be taken against the responsible entities.

According to relevant sources, a vessel census has already begun to increase surveillance on waterways. Regular patrols will be conducted along the river routes. The Prime Minister's Office (PMO) will monitor these activities through a newly formed central cell, coordinated by the Bangladesh Navy. The Navy will be deployed in the field under "In Aid to Civil Power".

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has held several meetings with relevant officials regarding the rivers surrounding Dhaka and issued various directives. He has also expressed interest in visiting the rivers in person to assess their condition.

Additionally, the Prime Minister directed officials to fast-track the Inner Circular Ring Road project to ease Dhaka's traffic congestion.

Following these instructions, various ministries, departments and agencies have started their work and initiated several field programmes. State Minister for Planning Md Jonaed Abdur Rahim Saki, Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister ABM Abdus Sattar and secretaries from various ministries have already inspected the condition of the rivers and ongoing project activities.

An additional secretary of the Ministry of Shipping said the Prime Minister had directed everyone concerned to stop river pollution, starting with the Buriganga and Turag rivers.

In addition, instructions have been given to operate passenger and tourist vessels on the rivers around Dhaka. "We are encouraging private boat operators. If they do not agree, we will start passenger services using government vessels," he said, adding that running trips every 20 minutes would help attract passengers.

Speaking on condition of anonymity, several officials who attended the PMO meetings said Dhaka has a 110-kilometre circular waterway connected by five rivers. These rivers link Gazipur, Dhaka, Narayanganj and Munshiganj.

Pollution or a drop in water flow in one river affects the water quality, navigability and environment of the others, they said.

They noted that operations would start in the Turag and Buriganga, followed by the Dhaleshwari, because the Turag has relatively less pollution and encroachment. Starting the operation there would create positive momentum that could easily spread to other areas.

Meanwhile, the Department of Environment (DoE) has met with leaders of industrial enterprises and business associations, instructing them to take necessary measures, including installing effluent treatment plants (ETPs).

According to BIWTA data, government agencies are among the biggest sources of pollution. Dhaka WASA has 66 waste outlets, Narayanganj City Corporation has 37, Dhaka South City Corporation has 21, Dhaka North City Corporation has 16 and Gazipur City Corporation has four.

A total of 631 pollution outlets have been identified across the Buriganga, Turag and Balu rivers — 258 in the Buriganga, 269 in the Turag and 104 in the Balu. Another 62 waste discharge points have been identified along the Tongi Canal.

However, during an inspection in 2026, BIWTA identified 49 new waste outlets along the banks of the Buriganga alone, bringing its total number of discharge points to 307.

BIWTA Director (Port and Transport) Md Saiful Islam said steps were being taken to prevent waste from being dumped directly into the river through these outlets. Notices have been served on owners of illegal structures, dockyards and other establishments along the riverbanks, ordering them not to dump waste into the water.

Ministry of Shipping sources said that, as per the Prime Minister's decision, vessels would be launched to transport passengers and tourists on the circular waterway.

Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Corporation (BIWTC) has been asked to build 12 small vessels, each capable of carrying 10-12 passengers, within six months. These vessels will operate every 20-30 minutes on the route from Gabtoli to Postogola via Sadarghat.

To prevent illegal encroachment and pollution, restore natural navigability and reclaim occupied rivers around Dhaka, the government recently formed a 37-member Central Cell at the PMO.

Headed by the Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister, the cell will oversee three sub-committees. Ministers and state ministers from the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change; Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Co-operatives; Ministry of Shipping; and Ministry of Planning will serve as advisers. The Bangladesh Navy will act as the coordinator.

The 37-member cell includes secretaries from various ministries, a Navy representative of rear admiral rank, the Inspector General of Police, Director General of the Coast Guard, Chairman of the National River Protection Commission, Director General of the Water Development Board, Director General of the DoE, RAJUK Chairman, BIWTA Chairman, Dhaka Divisional Commissioner, AIG of River Police, Managing Director of Dhaka WASA, chief executive officers of Dhaka North, Dhaka South, Narayanganj and Gazipur city corporations, a representative of the Attorney General, deputy commissioners of Dhaka, Narayanganj and Gazipur, presidents of BGMEA, BKMEA, Tannery Owners Association and Dockyard Association, as well as NGO representatives nominated by the DoE.

Three sub-committees have been assigned specific scopes of work.

Sub-Committee 1 will control waste discharge sources, including industrial waste; remove waste from canals and drains; reclaim rivers and maintain water flow; and prepare long-term plans, including the removal of solid waste accumulated on riverbeds.

The Central Cell will review progress monthly and submit reports to the Prime Minister. It will also monitor and coordinate ongoing projects related to pollution control, conservation and management of the rivers around Dhaka.

Data shows that about 60-61 per cent of the daily liquid waste dumped into Dhaka's rivers comes from various industries, while the remaining 39-40 per cent originates from household and other sources.

According to recent World Bank reports and environmental studies, more than 7,000 industrial units in the greater Dhaka area discharge around 2.4 billion litres of untreated toxic chemical and liquid waste into surrounding water bodies and rivers every day.

Additionally, more than 10 million litres of untreated household wastewater and sewage flow directly into the rivers daily. Only 2 per cent of Dhaka is covered by a proper sewerage network, leaving 98 per cent of household sewage to drain directly or through canals into the rivers.

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