These observations came at a workshop on upgrade of the feasibility study of the project held at a city hotel yesterday.

Under the project, an embankment at the eastern part of greater Dhaka and a bypass will be constructed to prevent floodwater and ease traffic congestion.

A technical feasibility study on the project was conducted in 1996-97, which has been upgraded by Halcrow Group Limited, an international consultant. Halcrow estimated the total expenditure for the project at Tk 2070 crore.

Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB), Department of Roads and Highways, communications ministry, Dhaka Wasa, Dhaka City Corporation, Department of Forest, Rajdhani Unnyan Kartripokkho and land ministry are involved in the project.

Speaking as the chief guest, LGRD Minister Abdul Mannan Bhuiyan said more critical analysis is needed before implementing the project as experiences from the DND (Dhaka-Narayanganj-Demra) Embankment and Western Embankment are not so good.

The DND embankment was an agricultural project, but now it has turned into an unplanned residential area, he said, adding that when the area faces massive waterlogging, several authorities put the responsibilities on each other to solve the problem.

On the other hand, during the flood in 2004, water level outside the western embankment was higher than inside the embankment, making it difficult to pump out water from inside, which resulted in massive waterlogging in the western part of the capital, the minister mentioned.

He also said "A well-planned urbanisation is important while designing the project. Otherwise, eastern Dhaka will be turned into a slum."

"It is also important to consider whether Tongi, Narayanganj and Narsingdi will go under water during flood after the mega project is completed," he said.

The minister also suggested constructing a circular road on the embankments around the city.

He called for considering these aspects during the implementation of the project. But it is not possible for the government alone to provide the huge amount of money needed for its implementation, he added.

Speaking at the workshop, Communications Minister Nazmul Huda said different components of the project should be disintegrated and the government should allocate money from the ADP to the agencies concerned to start the project immediately.

"Then, if needed, we can seek support from the donor agencies," he said.

Water Resources and Commerce Minister Hafiz Uddin Ahmed also said the money can be provided from the ADP for the implementation of the project.

Later, he told reporters that they have already requested the government to allocate money in the upcoming budget for the project.

Team leader of Halcrow VR Baghirathan presented the upgrade of the feasibility study while secretary to Water Resources Ministry Syed Mohammad Zobaer and BWDP Director General Sharif Rafqul Islam also spoke.