Dhaka: The government has constituted an 11-member working group tasked with developing a ‘Blue Network’ to rejuvenate the flow in Dhaka’s canals, following their recovery from illegal encroachments. This initiative was formalized through a notification issued on November 5.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the notification outlined the objective of restoring the normal flow of Dhaka’s canals and establishing a ‘Blue Network’ focused on canals, once freed from illegal occupations and pollution. The committee will include members such as the Additional Deputy Commissioner (Revenue) and representatives from various authorities like the Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB), Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA), Department of Environment, National River Protection Commission, Local Government Engineering Department, Dhaka North City Corporation, Dhaka South City Corporation, Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (RAJUK), alongside a member from an NGO/volunteer organization and a student sel
ected by the local administration.
The group is tasked with drafting a preliminary work plan after conducting a workshop within three days and finalizing the work plan by November 30, following dialogues with all stakeholders.
Based on available statistics, there are 69 canals within the jurisdictions of the two city corporations; however, many of these have vanished over time. Of the existing canals, the Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) oversees 29 canals and one water body, while the Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) manages 11 canals. The DSCC subsequently identified 14 additional canals, raising its total to 25.