Consider environmental, social aspects during implementation

The project, approved in 2000, aims to protect the eastern part of Dhaka city from flood and water-logging. The project was postponed in 2003 following a failed attempt to construct the embankment with the dredged material of Balu river.

In the face of devastating consequences of recurrent floods, the government has decided to review the feasibility and other studies and update the studies, including environmental Impact assessment (EIA) and Social Impact Assessment (SIA), in order to revive the project.

The Water Development Board organised the workshop on updating the feasibility study on Dhaka Integrated Flood Control Embankment-cum-Eastern Bypass Road Multipurpose Project at a city hotel.

The estimated cost of the project is Tk 3,000 crore and it is one of the three top priority projects, said Water Resources Minister Hafiz Uddin Ahmad.

The Eastern Bypass embankment will be constructed from Demra to Mymensingh road, he said, adding that a highway along the embankment will also help ease traffic congestion, raise agricultural production and keep the environment clean.

If there is a political will, the government can implement the project with its own resources, but it will take more time, said the minister. If external aid is available, the project will see rapid implementation, he added.

Dhaka city must be protected from floods, water-logging and other forms of adversities, but the protection measures must pay considerable attention to the environmental and social issues, said Communications Minister Nazmul Huda.

VR Baghirathan, leader of the Study Team, presented an overview of the project, which will connect the eastern and western parts of the country under road communication network.

Some 136 square kilometres area of the western bank of Balu river in Dhaka city is already protected from floods by embankment. The Eastern Bypass will complete the full flood protection scheme with construction of another 124 square kilometres of embankment in the eastern part.

The Eastern Bypass project contains components like improved drainage system, drainage regulators and retention ponds, a bypass road connecting Joydevpur circle and Chittagong road, and two link roads at Khilkhet and Rampura connecting Dhaka city with the bypass.

Housing and Public Works Minister Mirza Abbas also spoke at the workshop attended by technical experts, donor agency representatives and environmentalists.

Secretary of the water resources ministry SM Jahurul Islam was also present.