Govt to Allow Private Water Buses to Revive Dhaka Waterways

The Bangladesh government has approved a plan allowing private companies to operate water buses on the rivers surrounding Dhaka. The initiative spearheaded by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman aims to revive the capital’s river transport network and ease urban traffic congestion.

The decision was finalized during a meeting chaired by the Prime Minister at the Bangladesh Secretariat according to Deputy Press Secretary Shahadat Hossain Shadhin. To implement the plan authorities will evaluate proposals from interested private operators before assigning them to designated waterway routes.

Beyond improving urban mobility the government is prioritizing the environmental health of Dhaka’s rivers. The Prime Minister directed relevant authorities to take coordinated action to halt river pollution upgrade the city's drainage systems, and ensure the rivers remain fully navigable with normal water flow.

Reviving these waterways must go hand in hand with protecting the broader river ecosystem. To support this the Prime Minister instructed officials to plant a diverse array of trees along riverside walkways a move designed to enhance both the local environment and the aesthetic appeal of the riverbanks.

The strategic meeting was attended by key stakeholders including Road Transport Minister Shaikh Rabiul Alam Environment State Minister Shaikh Faridul Islam and the administrators for both the Dhaka South and North City Corporations. This collaborative approach underscores the government's dual focus on sustainable urban management and improved public transit.