The circular water route around capital Dhaka had been planned for execution in two phases. The first phase involves water route from Sadarghat to Ashulia and the second from Ashulia to Demra-Kanchur.

Shipping ministry sources said the work of the first phase is going on in full swing and over 31 percent has already been done.

"Hopefully, the rest of the work would be finished by December this year," Shipping Secretary Ismail Zabihullah told The Daily Star recently.

Sources said the deadline for completion of the first phase was advanced by six months from the earlier date in June 2005.

The government had allocated Tk 36 crore for the first phase of the project while the cost for completion of the second phase has been estimated at around Tk 250 crore.

Paperwork on the second phase of the project has also been completed, said the shipping secretary.

Under the two projects, 25 major landing stations would be set up for transporting passengers and goods through the circular river route.

The main objective of the project is to ease traffic congestion on the city roads.

Sources said there are three components of the project. Dredging of the rivers is the first component that is being implemented by the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA).

Dredging will be going on throughout the year to keep at least seven feet of the rivers navigable for cargo and passenger ships even in the dry seasons, the source said.

On the other hand, Local Government Engineering Department (LGED) and Dhaka City Corporation are constructing connecting roads to the landing stations.

The government, meanwhile, has asked BIWTC to build or procure five water taxis for plying the circular water route.

Out of Tk 36 crore for the first phase, Tk 9.82 crore was allocated from the annual development programme (ADP).

With the money, the government acquired land for building landing stations at Amin Bazar, Gabtali and Ashulia. Besides, 12.15 lakh cubic meter of the required 16.50 lakh cubic meter waterway has been dredged.

Work of the second phase of the route from Ashulia to Kanchpur would be undertaken during the next fiscal. The government hopes the second phase of the project would be complete by June 2006. At least two years' time would be required for the second phase, as extensive dredging would be conducted in the rivers Ballu and Shitalakkha for maintaining navigability during dry season.

After completion of the project, the water route may be the preferred one between Sadarghat and Amin Bazar. Besides, the circular water route would create a new route for Demra- and Narayanganj-bound passengers from Tongi-Ashulia area.