Buriganga's old channel getting new life

As recently as around three years ago, the old Buriganga channel would serve as a playground for children as it would remain withered during the dry season.

In the rainy seasons, the water flow was insufficient, while silt and waste accumulated on the riverbed.

But over the last year, with significant changes having been made, the channel is now recognisable as a branch of the mighty Buriganga.

The Dhaka South City Corporation since July last year has been working to revitalise the once-dead Buriganga channel and transform it into a space similar to Hatirjheel.

The old channel's original boundary, which fell prey to illegal occupation in some spaces, and dumping of waste, ran from Muslimbagh in Kamrangirchar to Rayerbazar in Hazaribagh, covering a length of 7.5km.

The DSCC plans to establish a new boundary and enclose the channel, which is gradually returning to its original appearance.

Spending approximately Tk 22 crore, it has already removed a lot of the waste and silt from the channel and plans to spend another Tk 14 crore to clear out the rest.

If the channel is made operational, it will reduce instances of waterlogging in Lalbagh, Hazaribagh, Dhanmondi, and Kamrangirchar areas.

During an election rally in Kamrangirchar on December 24, 2018, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina pledged to restore the original Buriganga channel and instructed the then DSCC mayor, Mohammad Sayeed Khokon, to take action in this regard.

As part of the initiative, the former mayor had commissioned a drone to capture video footage of the channel and appointed an organisation as a consultant. However, the efforts did not yield positive results.

After assuming office, current mayor Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh initiated a new programme.

According to sources in the DSCC engineering department, Taposh began formulating plans to address the waterlogging issue immediately after assuming office.

Visiting the channel on April 3, this correspondent found that the water flow in the channel had improved, while the amount of waste had gone down.

The removal of waste and silt has been completed in most of the channel, while in some parts the waste collected from it has been placed on the banks.

Officials involved in the project said that first the encroached areas of the channel were cleared, including the removal of multi-storeyed buildings, through drives and then the cleaning operation began.

Till now, 2.5 lakh tonnes of waste have been removed from the channel, with the mayor now intending to overhaul the entire channel.

Engineers involved have indicated that a consultancy firm was appointed in October last year at a cost of approximately Tk 4.5 crore to develop a plan for transforming the channel into a Hatirjheel-style establishment for entertainment and leisure activities.

The planning work is expected to be completed by May. Once done, the plan will be submitted to the government ministry concerned for approval.

If approved, it may take up to four years to beautify and transform the original Buriganga channel.

The cost of the entire project will be determined once the Development Project Proposal (DPP) has been prepared.

In the meantime, with illegal structures being demolished, a new boundary is being installed for the channel.

Speaking to The Daily Star, Md Khairul Baker, DSCC superintendent engineer, said efforts were being made to reclaim the channel from illegal encroachers, and the waste from the channel is being cleared.

According to him, the channel used to serve as a dumping ground and was filled with garbage.

"Significant progress has been made and the water flow is now visible, although the water's colour remains black and highly polluted," he said, adding that efforts are being made to ensure the water is cleaned.

"We are currently conducting a survey for the Development Project Proposal (DPP)," he stated.

Elaborating on their vision for the channel, Baker explained that they intend to create visually appealing bridges, walkways, and recreational parks surrounding the area.

"Our plan is to make the channel a hub for recreational activity."