The government has introduced a modern navigation system on key inland river routes and undertaken a series of long-term projects to ensure safe, uninterrupted navigation and maintain waterways throughout the year, Shipping Minister Shaikh Rabiul Alam told Parliament on Monday.
Replying to a written question from ruling party lawmaker Khairul Kabir Khokon (Narsingdi-1) in the Jatiya Sangsad, the minister said Aids to Navigation (ATON) integrated with a Remote Monitoring System (RMS) has been installed on several important waterways under the Bangladesh Regional Waterway Transport Project-1 (BRWTP-1).
The system has been introduced on routes including the Ghorashal-Mymensingh stretch of the Shitalakkhya River, Nabinagar Link Channel-5 on the Meghna River, and the Ashuganj-Munshiganj route.
“This enables real-time monitoring of buoys and beacons and allows rapid detection of any faults,” Rabiul said.
He said the technology had strengthened river navigation management by enabling continuous monitoring of navigation equipment, reducing operational disruptions and improving safety for vessels operating on busy inland routes.
The minister said the government has also adopted long-term measures to address seasonal challenges to river navigability caused by siltation and changing water levels during monsoon and dry seasons.
He said several development projects and feasibility studies have already been undertaken to restore nearly dead rivers, improve navigability and establish integrated river management across different regions.
Among the proposed projects are an integrated river management initiative in greater Sylhet involving capital dredging to improve navigation, drainage, tourism, wetland ecosystems, irrigation and landing facilities; a project to improve waterway connectivity between Chattogram, Hatiya, Chairman Ghat and Bhasan Char; and a dredging project to enhance navigation on the Upper Meghna River from Raypara to Bhater Char near the Cumilla Economic Zone.
Rabiul said feasibility studies are also being conducted to identify sustainable river management solutions.
A study is underway to improve navigability and integrated river management in Khulna Division, including the M-G Canal system, through enhanced drainage, wetland conservation, irrigation and landing facilities.
Another feasibility study in Barishal Division is examining capital and maintenance dredging to improve river navigability, strengthen drainage systems, prevent waterlogging, expand irrigation facilities and develop landing stations.
A separate study has been undertaken to improve inland water transport and landing facilities in the Chattogram Hill Tracts.
“Once these projects are approved, the length of navigable waterways will increase, reducing seasonal variations in navigability during both monsoon and dry seasons,” the minister said.
He added that the government’s long-term strategy aimed 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.
The day’s parliamentary sitting resumed with Deputy Speaker Barrister Kayser Kamal in the chair.