The Buriganga River, once the lifeline of Dhaka and a symbol of Bangladesh’s natural wealth, now lies on the brink of environmental ruin. A recent study conducted by the River and Delta Research Centre (RDRC) underscores a worrying reality— around 250 sewage pipelines, spanning a six-kilometer stretch from Sheikh Russel School in Kamrangirchar to Farashganj Bridge, discharge raw sewage directly into the river. This widespread pollution alone contributes to 30-40 percent of the Buriganga’s contamination, transforming it into one of the most polluted rivers globally, as identified by the World Health Organization (WHO).
The RDRC study, titled “Pollution Status of Dhaka Rivers,” points to the main sources of pollution— 137 sewage lines along Old Dhaka’s left bank and 114 on the Keraniganj side of the right bank continuously eject untreated waste. This discharge introduces harmful pathogens and chemicals into the water, exposing the health of communities, ecosystems and future generations. As Stamford University’s Professor Ahmad Kamruzzaman Majumder highlights, with no drastic reduction in sewage discharge, the river cannot be restored to safe or usable standards. This issue, therefore, needs immediate and sustained intervention.
However, solutions do exist and significantly are achievable. RDRC chairman Mohammad Azaz has suggested an effective approach— redirecting these sewage lines to the Pagla Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) through a targeted project at an estimated cost of Tk 25-30 crore. A more expansive solution would include the establishment of small to medium sewage treatment plants (STPs) at strategic points along the river. These interventions, if implemented effectively, could reduce pollution levels remarkably and improve the river’s water quality, making it safer for surrounding communities and ecosystems.
The government must take decisive action
to implement and enforce stringent guidelines
on sewage, industrial effluents and waste
dumping to protect the Buriganga. Effective,
systematic monitoring will be essential
to ensure accountability and compliance
Yet, addressing sewage alone is not enough. The study reveals additional pollution sources that worsen the crisis. It identifies 257 waste dumping points along the Buriganga’s banks—148 on the right bank and 109 on the left—where refuse accumulates, leaching contaminants into the river. Furthermore, untreated effluents from 93 industrial discharge points compound the issue, releasing hazardous materials directly into the water. The RDRC also underscores the Buriganga’s dependency on water flow from the Turag River, which supplies around 90 percent of its volume. Unfortunately, the Turag itself suffers from severe contamination, particularly near Gazipur, further exacerbating the Buriganga’s pollution levels.
Addressing this multifaceted problem requires a coordinated, comprehensive strategy. The government must take decisive action to implement and enforce stringent guidelines on sewage, industrial effluents and waste dumping to protect the Buriganga. Effective, systematic monitoring will be essential to ensure accountability and compliance. Furthermore, establishing integrated waste management systems and environmentally sustainable waste disposal practices can limit the accumulation of refuse along the riverbanks. Collaboration with local authorities, industries, and environmental organizations is also crucial to build a long-term framework that values and protects Dhaka’s waterways.
The Buriganga is more than a river; it is an essential part of Dhaka’s history, economy and environment. Its deterioration not only signals a significant environmental crisis but poses a direct threat to the well-being of people. The consequences of inaction are severe, but the solutions— if implemented with urgency and precision— could begin to restore the Buriganga to health. This is an opportunity for Bangladesh to showcase a robust commitment to environmental preservation by embracing sustainable practices, reinforcing controlling mechanisms and promoting community engagement in protecting natural resources.
With a joint effort, the Buriganga can be revived, becoming a witness to the power of collective action in safeguarding our environment.
A cleaner, healthier Buriganga is not just a dream but a critical necessity, paving the way for a sustainable future and preserving an invaluable heritage for generations to come. The time to act is now.
