Water resource optimisation via surface irrigation, water-sharing treaties, and community-managed fisheries is critical, alongside pollution control, water quality monitoring, and safety regulation reforms, including vessel certification, crew training, and insurance schemes, writes Makhan Lal Dutta
BENEATH Bangladesh’s rivers and canals lies a latent economic promise capable of reshaping how the nation moves, feeds, energises and sustains itself. Inland water resources — including rivers, streams, and canals — function not only as lifelines for transport but also as engines of growth, yet their full potential remains constrained by neglect, mismanagement and seasonal fragilities. As climate change, global trade and technological innovation transform international markets, Bangladesh stands at a critical juncture to elevate its inland waters from mere geography to strategic assets.
The country boasts nearly 24,000 kilometres of inland waterways, of which roughly 6,000 kilometres are navigable in the monsoon and 3,865 kilometres during the dry season. Around a third of Bangladesh is seasonally or permanently submerged, forming an extensive floodplain that shapes agriculture, transport and livelihoods. Historically, waterways carried over half of the nation’s freight and a quarter of its passengers, yet their share has declined dramatically with the rise of road and rail transport, further accelerated by the opening of the Padma Bridge in 2022. Globally, however, inland water transport is witnessing a resurgence as a green, cost-effective alternative. The worldwide inland water transport market, valued at $22.1 billion in 2024, is projected to reach $30.2 billion by 2029, driven by eco-friendly technologies, smart ports and intermodal logistics. Bangladesh has a unique opportunity to modernise and leverage its waterways in alignment with these trends. Domestically, cargo movement via inland water transport surged 2.6-fold between 2017–18 and 2019–20, with approximately 0.7 million vessels ferrying 50 million passengers annually, underscoring both the sector’s fragility and vitality.
Institutional mechanisms exist through the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority and the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Corporation, responsible for navigability management and ferry and cargo operations, respectively. Strategic investments, such as the Port of Pangaon — the country’s first inland container terminal handling 116,000 TEU annually — demonstrate the potential for value-added logistics. International support from the EU, World Bank and Asian Development Bank, under initiatives like the Bangladesh Regional Waterway Transport Project, emphasises dredging, port modernisation and real-time navigational systems, aligning domestic waterways with global efficiency and sustainability standards.
In agriculture, surface water irrigation mitigates groundwater dependency, protecting aquifers while reducing salinity and arsenic risks. Interbasin cooperation with India, including the Kushiyara river water-sharing agreement, ensures year-round irrigation and fisheries support, while projects such as Muhuri in Chittagong enhance flood control, aquaculture and local tourism, generating diversified livelihoods. Inland fisheries, supporting over 12 million fishers and producing 17–18 lakh metric tons of fish annually, are critical for food security and rural incomes, though sustainable, community-based management is essential to prevent overfishing and ecological stress.
Nonetheless, challenges persist. Seasonal fluctuations, silting, pollution, saline intrusion, and limited year-round navigability constrain the network. Safety concerns remain acute, with ferry mishaps and low-tech fleets exacerbating risks. Institutional fragmentation dilutes strategic focus, while climate change intensifies floods, droughts and salinity shocks, threatening freshwater supply and public health. To transform inland waters into engines of resilience and growth, Bangladesh requires investments in year-round navigability through dredging, river training, and embankment works; smart fleet modernisation with eco-friendly vessels and real-time tracking; and intermodal integration linking waterways with road, rail and inland ports. Water resource optimisation via surface irrigation, water-sharing treaties, and community-managed fisheries is critical, alongside pollution control, water quality monitoring, and safety regulation reforms, including vessel certification, crew training, and insurance schemes. Climate-proof infrastructure — such as flood-adaptive ports, salinity-resilient sluice gates, and early warning systems — would further enhance resilience.
Investment in inland water transport promises high economic returns. International studies indicate that each $1 billion invested can generate $4–5 billion in gross domestic product through reduced logistics costs, lower road congestion, and green transport externalities. In Bangladesh, where freight costs comprise up to 18 per cent of GDP, even modest reductions translate into hundreds of millions in savings. Efficient transport routes decrease post-harvest losses, connect producers to markets and strengthen export chains, while robust fisheries governance secures food, nutrition and social equity. Modern inland waterways also unlock opportunities in climate-smart tourism, including river cruises, ecological trails, and waterfront leisure hubs, fostering jobs and micro-economies. Through strategic investment, governance reform and regional cooperation, Bangladesh’s inland waters can reclaim their historic role as economic conduits, supporting sustainable growth, resilient food systems and green transport.
Bangladesh’s inland water resources are far more than fluid landscapes, they are untapped economic frontiers. Realising this potential promises deeper prosperity for millions, enhanced climate resilience and a sustainable pathway for national development.
Ìý
Dr Makhan Lal Dutta, an irrigation engineer, is CEO of Harvesting Knowledge Consultancy.
