The 11-member task force, formed to reclaim the capital’s canals mainly to build the “Blue Network”, is expected to prepare a short, medium and long term plan.

“We have a plan to build a ‘blue network’ around the capital’s canals after reclaiming those from illegal encroachments,” Dhaka Additional Deputy Commissioner (Revenue) Parvez Chowdhury and head of the group told BSS today of work.

“There has already been a concept paper, research and studies for this purpose… RAJUK has worked on it. After consulting all stakeholders, we will develop a short, medium and long term plan to continue the network “, he continued.

Under the short-term plan, he said they would soon take the necessary steps to continue the blue network, while in the medium term, certain budgets would be needed to move the plan forward.

If the canals are found to be occupied by buildings and establishments, Parvez said, “then we will adopt a long-term plan because it will require eviction of illegal encroachers and budgets to do so.”

Asked about the statistics available on the capital’s canals, he replied: “We have information so far that there are officially 50 canals. But this number could increase.”

The working group will meet on November 23 and 24, he said, adding that the members of the group will soon physically visit the canals.

After physically visiting the canals in two teams, he said they would prepare a draft work plan and then exchange views with stakeholders on this project.

“We will prepare the final work plan on the scheduled date, next November 30. If necessary, we will take more time to do it,” he said.

In case of preparation of the final work plan, the task force will keep in mind the verbal instructions of the concerned advisor, he said.

The government issued a notification on November 5 regarding the formation of the task force.

“To bring back normal flow of Dhaka canals and build a ‘Blue Network’ centered on the canals after freeing them from illegal occupation and pollution, an 11-member task force has been formed,” the notification said.

The members of the group are: Additional Deputy Commissioner (Revenue), representatives of Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB), Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA), Ministry of Environment, National Protection Commission of Rivers, Local Government Engineering Department, Dhaka North City. Corporation, Dhaka South City Corporation, Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (RAJUK), (a member of) an NGO/voluntary and student organization (selected by the local administration.

The group was asked to prepare the main work plan after holding a three-day workshop and the final work plan by November 30 with dialogues with all stakeholders.

According to available statistics from the River and Delta River Center (RDRC), 120 kilometers of the capital’s 300 kilometers of canals have been encroached upon. Multi-storey buildings were also built on these places.

Due to encroachment, some canals have become like narrow drains. Experts say that all housing organizations and influential people have occupied the canal.

Experts say the canal sites must first be identified so that eviction campaigns can be launched.