Government working to restore and beautify Dhaka's canals

He said this on Sunday afternoon while inspecting Jirani Canal in the Nandipara area of the capital. At that time, State Minister for Railways and Road Transport and Highways Division Habibur Rashid Habib and Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) Administrator valiant freedom fighter Md. Abdus Salam were present.

Mir Shahe Alam said retaining walls and walkways will be constructed as needed on both banks of 26 canals in Dhaka South City Corporation and 29 canals in Dhaka North City Corporation. This will prevent illegal occupation as well as increase opportunities for city residents' movement and recreation.

He said initiatives have been taken to treat sewage and discharge it into rivers. At the same time, work is underway to build a clean, safe and livable Dhaka step by step. He called upon all concerned, including city residents, to play a responsible role in protecting rivers and canals.

The cost of the project to restore Jirani Canal along with Kalunagar, Manda and Shyampur canals has been estimated at Tk 898 crore 61 lakh. The project will be implemented from October 2022 to June 2027. Overall progress of the project up to fiscal year 2025-26 is 21.84 percent.

Under the project, there are plans to re-excavate about 20.59 kilometers of the four canals, construct 32.56 kilometers of retaining walls, 38.06 kilometers of protection embankments and 32.44 kilometers of walkways. Alongside, various activities will be implemented to evict illegal structures, carry out greening and prevent environmental pollution.