This document discusses the water logging issues in Dhaka, Bangladesh caused by the disappearance of canals. It notes that Dhaka previously had 58 canals that served as its drainage system, but now only 26 remain in critical condition. The document examines the previous and present physical conditions of the canals, identifies five processes of canal encroachment including unauthorized landfilling and illegal construction, and discusses the consequences of encroachment such as increased flooding. It also outlines the plans of Dhaka's mayors to revitalize the canal system through activities like removing illegal structures, deepening canals, and installing septic tanks to keep water clean.

1. MorshedDenarAlamManna
Roll : 2153221022
MESM - 2021
Email: dinaramanna@gmail.com
An approach to resolve water-logging issue in DMDP area
TERM PAPER
ENV-5104

2. INTRODUCTION
Dhaka City has been suffering from many environmental issues
including flooding, water logging and other related problems.
High rate of urbanization causes extensive urban area expansion
and as a result canals, wetland and other water bodies are
quickly vanishing from the landscape.
In recent decades, Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh, had 58
canals flowing through the city, fed by surrounding rivers and
lakes. A recorded 50 of these canals worked as the city’s drainage
system.
The majority of these canals have since disappeared, with the
remaining ‘26’ listed to be in an environmentally ‘critical’
condition and are under serious ‘threat’ of extinction and require
immediate recovery action.

3. This study shows :
Previous & present physical condition of the canals at
Dhaka;
Identifies the processes of canal encroachment;
Represents the consequences of canal encroachment;
How the Mayors (DNCC & DSCC) are doing with the
task of revitalizing the canal system.

4. PREVIOUS PHYSICAL CONDITION OF THE CANALS
The drainage and canal management of Dhaka was in the
hands of the Department of Public Health Engineering
(DPHE) till 1983.
After that the Municipality used to perform this duty.
In 1986, it was handed over to Dhaka Water Supply and
Sewerage Authority (DWASA). Dhaka WASA has been
maintaining and operating canals (about 84.5 km) and about
365 km of large drains and four pump stations in Dhaka city
as part of its efforts to alleviate water logging.
WASA has got both the mandate and programmes to protect
the canals but the sorry states the canals are in now, give no
reflection that WASA has done its part.

5. PREVIOUS PHYSICAL CONDITION OF THE CANALS
There were over 100 canals in Dhaka city and most of
them have already disappeared.
The Institute of Water Modelling (IWM), which prepared a
map of drainage canals of Dhaka city in 2007-2008,
mentions 50 canals. Five additional canals on the list are
Kuril-Boaliya, Khilkhet Boaliya, Koshaibari-Boaliya,
Boaliya-Bowfar, and Kashibari-Uttara Railway Boropit
canals.
A list of 43 canals was prepared by a committee formed in
2004 to come forward with recommendations to identify,
recover and reopen the canals. The committee also
identified 26 canals under WASA as recoverable.

6. PREVIOUS PHYSICAL
CONDITION OF THE CANALS
Studied Canals and it’s catchment area

7. PRESENT PHYSICAL CONDITION OF THE CANALS
DWASA had been responsible for the 26 canals (84.5km) and
the 10 box culverts (around 10km) since 1988. It also looks
after 385 km of storm water drainage.
All the 26 canals of WASA have been handed over to the two
City Corporations (DNCC & DSCC) since December 31, 2020.
There are 26 canals in Dhaka North City Corporation area on
paper. It has 23 canals (29 km) in 16 new wards.
DSCC have 11 canals under its jurisdiction

8. IDENTIFIES THE
PROCESSES OF CANAL
ENCROACHMENT
Canals are being encroached in
various styles and this study
identifies five:
1. Unauthorize landfilling,
2. Illegal construction over
canal,
3. Expansion of slum,
4. Solid waste dumping,
5. taking advantage of lack of
awareness of local people as
well as government agencies.

9. REPRESENTS THE CONSEQUENCES OF CANAL
ENCROACHMENT;;
However, the study also discusses the grave
consequences of canal encroachment:
 Increasing flood vulnerability
 Wane of ground water recharge area and ground
water level
 Collapse of natural drainage system,
 Loss of local ecology and biodiversity

10. HOW THE MAYORS ARE DOING WITH THE TASK OF REVITALIZING THE CANAL
SYSTEM
Plan to Revitalizing the Canals by City Mayors:
 To demarcate the two banks of the canals and open up the canals by
removing illegal structures.
 To increase the depth of the canals by digging the unoccupied canals.
 Constructing walkways and bicycle lanes on both the banks,
 Trees will be planted
 Regular cleaning of canals will also be introduced
 To set up boundary pillars,
 Remove all encroachers and protect the recovered area,
 To take steps so that the canals are not refilled with garbage
again,
 Not wait for the government funds and would do the work with
their own money.

11. HOW THE MAYORS ARE DOING WITH THE TASK OF
REVITALIZING THE CANAL SYSTEM
The city corporation is making it mandatory to install septic tanks in
residential, commercial buildings and other facilities in Dhaka city to
keep the canal water clean. Building owners will have to complete
the installation of septic tanks on their own initiative by March 31,
2021. If the septic tank is not installed within this period, the
operation will be conducted from April 1, 2021. If the rules are not
followed, legal action will be taken including
disconnection. Therefore, Dhaka North and South City Corporation
have already issued a public notice in the media.

12. SEGUNBAGICHA CANAL
CONFLUENCE
POINT OF FOUR
CANALS
(SEGUNBAGICHA,
JIRANI,
KHILGAON-
BASABO AND
MANDA)

13. BAISTAKE
CANAL
Beribadh
(Hazaribagh)
Sluice gate

14. KHILGAON-BASABO
CANAL
IBRAHIMPUR
CANAL

16. THANK YOU