PM plans private water bus service to restore Dhaka’s river transport network
The government has decided to allow private companies to operate water bus services around Dhaka as part of a wider plan to restore the capital’s waterways, improve navigation and address river pollution and drainage problems.
Reading
In a Nutshell:
- Proposals from private companies will be evaluated before approving them to operate water buses on designated routes.
- Authorities will restore waterways around Dhaka, maintain navigation and improve conditions for water based transport.
- PM Tarique Rahman instructed agencies to control river pollution, improve drainage and protect normal water flow as part of the revival plan.
Why it matters
Dhaka’s waterways have been considered a potential transport route for years, but pollution, poor maintenance and reduced navigability have limited their use. By combining water bus services with river restoration efforts, the government is treating waterways as part of a wider urban infrastructure plan rather than only a transport project.
What we think
Bringing in private operators may help start a water bus service, but the government’s ability to maintain the waterways will be central to whether the plan works. Without consistent action to keep routes usable and rivers managed properly, the service may struggle to become a regular part of Dhaka’s transport system.