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Editorial

Blue network for Dhaka must be implemented


Bangladeshpost
Published : 29 Sep 2024 10:09 PM

The government’s plan to go ahead with ‘Blue Network’ for Dhaka marks a significant initiative in addressing the city’s worsening urban transportation, commuting, infrastructural and ecological crises. Dhaka, once renowned for its widespread waterways and wetlands, has witnessed the systematic loss of these natural assets due to unbridled urbanisation, pollution and illegal encroachment. The Ministry of Water Resources and the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change have now taken on the challenge of restoring these canals, with the aspiring goal of creating a sustainable and water-sensitive city.  

We know that historically, Dhaka’s transportation and drainage systems relied on its network of rivers and canals. The waterways not only facilitated the general people to movement but also helped manage waterlogging and flooding. However, studies reveal that around 84 percent of water bodies have disappeared since 1947, resulting in worsened waterlogging, reduced water quality and substantial biodiversity loss. Of the 43 canals that once flowed through the capital, many exist only on paper, with only 21 still visible and functioning in a severely diminished state.

The Blue Network project aims to reverse this loss by restoring the remaining canals and integrating them into a broader urban infrastructure framework. The project’s key aspects include reclaiming illegally occupied waterbodies, dredging and excavating canals and building walkways and green spaces along their banks. These public amenities’ introduction will not only enhance transportation but also improve the capital’s environmental sustainability and overall quality of life for its residents.

The Blue Network 

project aims to reverse this loss by 

restoring the remaining canals and integrating

 them into a broader urban 

infrastructure framework

Adviser to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change Syeda Rizwana Hasan has been a long-standing advocate for the restoration of the capital’s canals. She emphasises the importance of immediate steps, stressing the need for urgent enforcement against encroachment. Her call for Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (RAJUK) and other authorities concerned to conduct frequent operations to recover illegally occupied canals reflects the urgency of conserving what remains of the capital’s natural drainage system. 

The potential of the project impact extends beyond environmental restoration. A revitalised network of canals could significantly ease the capital’s traffic congestion by offering an alternative mode of water-based transportation. The plan also proposes widespread tree planting along the canal banks, contributing to improved air quality, enriched biodiversity and much-needed recreational spaces for the city dwellers.

Recognising that it could serve as a model for sustainable urban development in other megacities facing similar challenges, the urban planners, environmentalists and rights activists have lauded the government’s initiative. However, the Blue Network will need a well-coordinated, multi-agency approach involving RAJUK, city corporations and other government entities. Furthermore, the plan will require substantial financial investment and a solid commitment to long-term maintenance and management.

The restoration of the capital waterways must be part of a broader urban planning strategy that prioritises environmental protection, greening and biodiversity preservation. Community involvement will be essential to ensure success of the project, as public awareness and participation may help prevent further degradation and encroachment.

The Blue Network exemplifies a transformative vision for Dhaka, offering a path toward a greener, more sustainable future. The government has the opportunity to redesign the capital’s urban landscape, creating a healthier, more livable city for future generations by restoring the city’s historic waterways. 

However, this vision will only become a reality with sustained commitment, effective coordination and the active involvement of all stakeholders.