Dredging of rivers
What is needed
is proper monitoring, supervision,
accountability
and transparency
of the works
to be done
It is heartening to note that the government is working to procure several dredgers for the Bangladesh Water Development Board (WDB) on a government-to-government (G2G) basis, according to a report in this newspaper on Sunday. According to another report in this newspaper the same day the government has taken a mega plan to conduct 2001 kilometers of river dredging and 690 kilometers of river training at a cost of Tk 956, 834 crore over the next 15 years.
From time immemorial rivers have played dominant roles in the world civilisation. Rivers are the lifeline of a country. They are responsible for sound environment, bio-diversity, ecological balance, flora and fauna. They play vital roles in economic development of the country. Movement of vessels carrying merchandise cannot be thought of without rivers. Livelihood of millions of people in our country is dependent on the rivers since they are the repositories of fish that provide proteins for the vast population of the country. Besides, rivers play important roles in irrigating lands.
According to sources, at least 200 dredgers are needed to fulfill the Prime Ministers vision of dredging the countrys rivers. Authorities in both China and India have already expressed interest in supplying the vessels to the BWDB under G2G basis. Besides, the BWDB will procure 25 dredgers under state arrangement. What is worrying is that many rivers of the country have lost navigability. Many rivers have died untimely death due to human interventions. Many rivers have lost water holding capacity. As a result, during monsoon those overflow and cause flooding triggering immense sufferings to the people. Against this backdrop the initiative for dredging the rivers has come as a relief.
There is no alternative to maintaining the navigability of the rivers for the benefit of the country. Many rivers have been grabbed by land shirks.
Besides, many rivers have been polluted beyond recognition due to indiscriminate dumping of industrial effluents. Reclamation of these rivers is of prime importance. But it is unfortunate to note that crores of taka had been allegedly misused in such river dredging activities. In the past the river dredging work was started with much fanfare only to be suspended on various pretexts. Proper monitoring, supervision, accountability and transparency of the works are essential. It is the responsibility of the relevant authorities to ensure it.
