Protect the boundaries of rivers surrounding Dhaka

It is disappointing to see the poor state of the four rivers surrounding Dhaka amid continued disregard for environmental laws, regulations, and directives. In June 2009, the High Court ordered the relevant authorities to demarcate the original boundaries of the Buriganga, Turag, Balu, and Shitalakkhya rivers to prevent their encroachment and pollution. The Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) was assigned to install over 10,000 boundary pillars and build 220 km of circular walkways along both banks of the rivers. However, since the project began in 2014, BIWTA has completed only 72 km of walkways and installed 6,200 pillars so far, falling far short of the target. That such a crucial conservation project could not be completed even in 16 years is alarming, to say the least.

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Why are our major rivers no longer within humanity’s safe limits?

Reportedly, the first phase of the project cost the government Tk 142 crore. The second phase began in 2018, with an estimated cost of Tk 845.55 crore. However, in July 2022, the deadline was extended to June 2024, raising the cost to Tk 1,181.10 crore. But that deadline was also missed, leading to further cost escalations. The new deadline is now June 2026, with the project cost revised up to Tk 1,275 crore.

Besides inflated budgets, another effect of delayed project implementation is that the walkaways that were built along the riverbanks are already in bad shape. During a recent visit to Shyampur, our correspondent found that due to poor maintenance, the boundary walls along some parts of the walkways had collapsed. Environmentalists blamed corruption for this situation, claiming the authorities had carried out faulty river demarcation and conducted only sporadic eviction drives to reclaim encroached areas, leaving the foreshores and riverbanks mostly in the hands of grabbers, which is most unfortunate.

Besides inflated budgets, another effect of delayed project implementation is that the walkaways that were built along the riverbanks are already in bad shape. During a recent visit to Shyampur, our correspondent found that due to poor maintenance, the boundary walls along some parts of the walkways had collapsed. Environmentalists blamed corruption for this situation, claiming the authorities had carried out faulty river demarcation and conducted only sporadic eviction drives to reclaim encroached areas, leaving the foreshores and riverbanks mostly in the hands of grabbers, which is most unfortunate. The project director has, however, claimed that the work has remained suspended as grabbers obtained court orders to halt construction in many areas, and that they have sought HC intervention in this matter.

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Take urgent steps to reactivate the river commission

We urge the government to take initiatives to complete this crucial river protection project. It must probe the causes of delay and hold to account those responsible for it. Most importantly, the legal complications hindering the completion of the work must be resolved without delay. These time and cost overruns in development projects have long been an issue in the country, particularly during the tenure of the ousted Awami League regime, when the practice of indefinitely delaying important public projects became commonplace. This must not be the case any longer. We must protect the four rivers surrounding Dhaka, as well as others across the country, for our own survival.