The interim government has launched a project to restore the natural flow of 19 canals across Dhaka ahead of the upcoming monsoon season. In the first phase, Environment, Forest, Climate Change, and Water Resources Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan inaugurated the renovation of four canals in Dhaka North and two in Dhaka South, starting with the Baunia Canal in Mirpur-13. Advisers Adilur Rahman Khan (Housing, Public Works, and Industry) and Asif Mahmud Sojib Bhuiyan (Local Government, Rural Development, Cooperatives, and Youth and Sports) were also present.

The initiative, coordinated by several ministries and both city corporations, involves initial excavation followed by phased restoration efforts. Rizwana emphasized community involvement to prevent encroachment and pollution, aiming to revive the canals as vibrant ecosystems with greenery and aquatic life.

Asif Mahmud acknowledged the complexity of the canal issue, proposing the creation of a “blue network”—a connected system of waterways designed as public spaces. He noted the interim government’s proactive approach, contrasting it with previous administrations’ bureaucratic delays.

Adilur Rahman criticized the past 16 years of corruption, linking it to canal encroachment and pollution. He highlighted ongoing efforts by Rajuk, including clearing the Totail Beel and improving waste management. In this phase, 21 kilometers of canals, including Baunia, Rupnagar, Begunbari, Manda, and Kalunagar, as well as Korail Lake, will undergo restoration. The project aims to enhance Dhaka’s environmental, social, and economic conditions through better water body management.