The government has identified 224 pollution outlets discharging waste into the Buriganga and Turag rivers as it prepares a coordinated drive to control pollution and restore the waterways.
Of the identified outlets, 166 are located along the Buriganga and 58 along the Turag, according to a survey presented at a stakeholder consultation in Dhaka on Thursday.
The assessment found that industrial waste, including dyes, chemicals and heavy metals, accounts for 55% of pollution in the two rivers. Another 25% comes from organic waste, pathogens and ammonia.
The findings have placed industrial pollution at the centre of the government's planned intervention, with authorities preparing to shut pollution sources, strengthen enforcement and ensure industries properly operate their effluent treatment plants (ETPs).
The consultation was organized by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change with business leaders and representatives of relevant government agencies to discuss pollution in the Buriganga, Turag and their connected canals.
Buriganga in critical condition
Presenting the project concept, Bangladesh Navy Rear Admiral Abdullah Al Maksus said the Buriganga is in an extremely critical condition.
The river's dissolved oxygen level has fallen to 1.70-2.68 milligrams per litre, compared with the minimum 5 milligrams per litre considered necessary for healthy river conditions, according to the assessment.
The pollution is linked to untreated industrial discharge, sewage, market waste, oil and other pollutants entering the river through multiple outlets.
Major pollutants identified in the Buriganga include tannery waste, sewage, industrial and market waste, oil and black sludge-like materials. The Turag is primarily affected by sewage, industrial waste and plastic.
Source control at heart of plan
The survey recommended shutting the identified pollution outlets, preparing source-based lists of factories, ensuring the installation and operation of ETPs, identifying and closing unauthorized drains, increasing patrols and factory inspections, and taking legal action against polluting establishments.
Environment State Minister Sheikh Faridul Islam said pollution could not be stopped unless its sources were closed.
He also urged businesses facing difficulties with environmental authorities to report cases of deliberate obstruction so that investigations could be conducted.
The initial intervention will focus on industrial pollution, pollution linked to encroachment and pollution from vessels. Authorities are also working with Dhaka WASA and the city corporations to address sewage-related pollution.
The survey's finding that 55% of pollution comes from industrial waste has also placed renewed pressure on industries to improve environmental compliance.
BGMEA Senior Vice-President Enamul Haque Khan acknowledged the severity of the situation, saying the Buriganga had become difficult to breathe around and the Turag's water had become stagnant and mud-like.
He claimed that although there are 1,760 ETPs in industries across the country, most remain shut.
The claim highlights the distinction between having environmental infrastructure and actually complying with pollution-control requirements. An installed ETP does not necessarily mean wastewater is being treated before discharge.
Representatives of BGMEA, BKMEA, Bangladesh Textile Mills Association, Bangladesh Garments Washing Industries Association and FBCCI took part in the consultation.
BKMEA former Vice-President Hossain Mahmud suggested that the government should first establish the necessary standards and discuss them with stakeholders before launching the project.
Meanwhile, Tongi BSCIC Industrial Estate Owners Welfare Association General Secretary Mahiuddin Sheikh alleged that he had been trying to renew his ETP approval for three years but had faced various forms of harassment.
Central cell planned
To coordinate the restoration effort, the government plans to establish a central cell involving relevant agencies under the leadership of the Prime Minister's Principal Secretary.
The Bangladesh Navy will coordinate the initiative.
Representatives from the ministries of industries, water resources, labour and employment, local government and shipping, along with the Department of Environment, Dhaka WASA, Bangladesh Coast Guard, BIWTA, Rajuk and the two Dhaka city corporations, were involved in or invited to the consultation.
Prime Minister's Principal Secretary ABM Abdus Sattar said the government wants to transform the Buriganga and other major rivers into healthier waterways.
Recalling the Thames in London, he said the prime minister had previously compared its historical condition with that of the Buriganga and asked whether the Dhaka river could also be transformed.
He expressed optimism that the Buriganga, Turag and Shitalakkhya could eventually be restored with cooperation from stakeholders.
'We cannot fix everything in one day'
Environment Minister Abdul Awal Mintoo acknowledged that restoring the rivers would take time.
“We cannot fix everything in one day,” he said, adding that even a 10% improvement by the end of the year would be considered a success.
The minister stressed that economic development and environmental protection must advance together.
“Resources cannot be created at the cost of destroying the environment,” he said, urging businesses, farmers and other sections of society to recognize environmental protection as an integral part of wealth creation.
He called on industries without ETPs to install them quickly and urged factories that already have ETPs to keep them operational.
The government now plans to identify the establishments linked to the 224 outlets, stop illegal discharges, ensure ETPs operate properly, close unauthorized drains and maintain regular inspections as part of its effort to restore the Buriganga and Turag.