Besides bringing back the flow of the canals of Dhaka, the Ministry of Water Resources has formed a committee to build a canal-centric 'Blue Network' by restoring the canals and clearing them of encroachment and pollution. The matter was informed in a circular issued by the Ministry of Water Resources' Inspection and Implementation Branch on Tuesday (November 5). On Thursday (November 7), the ministry informed about the formation of the committee.
Deputy Secretary Md. The notification signed by Riazul Kabir said that a working group of 11 members has been formed to bring back the flow of the canals of Dhaka, restore the canals and free them from encroachment and pollution and form a time-based and cost-effective action plan with the aim of forming a canal-centric 'Blue Network'.
It is also said that the newly formed committee will organize a three-day workshop and prepare an initial action plan. Later, after formulating the initial action plan, the action plan will be finalized after discussing with the stakeholders and the final action plan will be submitted to the ministry by November 30.
Additional Deputy Commissioner (Revenue) of Dhaka has been convened in this newly formed committee. Besides, as members of the committee, representatives of the Bangladesh Water Development Board, representatives of the Inland Water Transport Authority, representatives of the Department of Environment, representatives of the River Protection Commission, representatives of the Local Government Engineering Department, one representative each of Dhaka North and South City Corporation, representatives of the Capital Development Authority (RAJUK), NGOs, or as a representative and education representative (nominated by the local administration) in a voluntary organization as a member.
Syeda Rizwana Hasan announced the plan to make a 'blue network' through the canals of Dhaka after taking charge as an advisor to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change and the Ministry of Water Resources of the interim government. He said that this network will be made with the canals which are still salvageable. The committee was formed as part of that initiative.
