The government has introduced a modern navigation system on important inland river routes and undertaken a series of long-term projects to ensure safe, uninterrupted navigation and maintain navigability throughout the year, Shipping Minister Shaikh Rabiul Alam told parliament today. Replying to a written question from ruling party lawmaker Khairul Kabir Khokon (Narsingdi-1) in the Jatiya Sangsad, the minister said the government is modernising the country’s inland water transport system by installing advanced navigational aids equipped with remote monitoring technology to enhance the safety and efficiency of river transport.
Advanced Navigational Aids
Under the Bangladesh Regional Waterway Transport Project-1 (BRWTP-1), Aids to Navigation (ATON) integrated with a Remote Monitoring System (RMS) have been installed on several important waterways, including the Ghorashal-Mymensingh route of the Shitalakkhya River, the Nabinagar Link Channel-5 on the Meghna River, and the Ashuganj-Munshiganj stretch. Shaikh Rabiul Alam stated, 'To ensure safe navigation on waterways, Aids to Navigation with Remote Monitoring System (RMS) have been installed under the BRWTP-1 project. This enables real-time monitoring of buoys and beacons and allows rapid detection of any faults.'
Long-Term Measures for Navigability
The Shipping Minister said the government has also adopted comprehensive long-term measures to tackle seasonal fluctuations in river navigability caused by siltation and changing water levels during the monsoon and dry seasons. He informed the House that several development projects and feasibility studies have already been undertaken to restore nearly dead rivers, increase navigability and establish integrated river management across different regions of the country.
Proposed Development Projects
Among the proposed development projects are: An integrated river management project involving capital dredging to improve navigability, drainage, tourism, wetland ecosystems, irrigation and landing facilities in the greater Sylhet region; A project to improve waterway communication between Chattogram, Hatiya, Chairmanghat and Bhasan Char; and A dredging project to enhance navigability of the Upper Meghna River from Raypara to Bhater Char adjacent to the Cumilla Economic Zone.
Feasibility Studies
The minister said the government has simultaneously undertaken several feasibility studies to identify sustainable river management solutions in different regions. These include a feasibility study for improving navigability and integrated river management in the Khulna Division, including the M-G Canal system, through enhanced drainage, wetland conservation, irrigation and landing facilities. Another study is being carried out in the Barishal Division to examine capital and maintenance dredging for improving river navigability, strengthening drainage systems, preventing waterlogging, expanding irrigation facilities and developing landing stations. A separate feasibility study has also been undertaken to improve inland water transport and landing facilities in the Chattogram Hill Tracts.
Government’s Long-Term Strategy
Shaikh Rabiul Alam said the government’s long-term strategy aims not only to ensure uninterrupted inland water transport but also to promote integrated river management, improve connectivity, facilitate trade and commerce, support irrigation and tourism, and protect river ecosystems through sustainable dredging and infrastructure development. 'Once these projects are approved, the length of navigable waterways will increase, which will reduce seasonal variations in navigability during both the monsoon and dry seasons,' the minister added.
