A circular passenger waterway around Dhaka could offer useful transport choices, but its success depends on much more than buying vessels and building terminals. Earlier services struggled with slow journeys and polluted rivers. Those failures deserve a transparent operational review before another large programme proceeds.
The government says hundreds of pollution sources have been identified. Publishing a time-bound cleanup plan, with named responsible agencies and independently checked water-quality indicators, would help establish credibility. Safe landing points, dependable timetables and connections to buses and rail are equally important.
A river transport system should be judged by actual passenger demand, journey times, accessibility and cleaner waterways—not merely construction spending. Pilot routes and public performance data would make future investment decisions more accountable.
সূত্র / Source: BSS, 13 November 2026. Image is illustrative.