The New Nation - Internet Edition

THERE was much enthusiasm for the circular waterway project when it was inaugurated two years ago. The first phase of it was completed at a cost of Taka 36 crore and work was done on 29.50 km of the river routes. But works on its second phase, covering 40 km of waterways at a cost of Taka 103 crore, was brought to a close from the ECNEC refusing to approve it. For all practical purposes, the circular waterway project has been abandoned. It would likely add to the number of promising but aborted projects which are many in number. The decision is causing loss on two counts. First, the amount of money spent already can turn into a waste of precious resources. The inability to fully implement the project will mean that a very large number of people who could surely benefit can no more expect the same.

Inadequacy of mass transportation is a very big problem faced by the residents of Dhaka city. All parts of the city face continuous traffic jams which will only get worse with the city's population growing further. Thus, creation of the circular waterway would mean relief for the city's commuters. But this prospect stands frustrated. One will only hope that residents of Dhaka will create a clamour for a full revival of this vital project. Mass transportation problem in Dhaka city is turning from bad to worse and every effort needs to be made to contribute towards solving it on a sustainable basis. Thus, the promising circular waterway project needed to be only implemented in time and it deserves a fresh appraisal for follow-up actions taken expeditiously to restart work with a view to completing it at an early date.