The Government of Bangladesh has established a specialised cell to oversee the excavation and re-excavation of rivers, canals, and water bodies, a move aimed at revitalising the nation’s water resources and improving flood management. The initiative was formalised through a gazette notification issued by the Prime Minister’s Office on 23 February.
Leading this newly formed eight-member cell is Mirza Abbas Uddin Ahmed, Adviser to the Prime Minister. The announcement reflects the government’s priority to streamline efforts across multiple ministries and agencies to ensure effective coordination of waterway development and maintenance projects.
Composition of the River Restoration Cell
| Role | Name / Designation | Affiliation |
|---|---|---|
| Chairperson | Mirza Abbas Uddin Ahmed | Adviser to the Prime Minister |
| Member | Secretary, Ministry of Land | Government of Bangladesh |
| Member | Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture | Government of Bangladesh |
| Member | Secretary, Ministry of Local Government | Government of Bangladesh |
| Member | Secretary, Ministry of Water Resources | Government of Bangladesh |
| Member | Secretary, Ministry of Disaster Management & Relief | Government of Bangladesh |
| Member | Chief Engineer, Local Government Engineering Department | LGED |
| Member | Director General, Bangladesh Water Development Board | BWDB |
| Member-Secretary | Secretary, Ministry of Water Resources | Government of Bangladesh |
The cell is tasked with developing comprehensive action plans for river, canal, and water body excavation projects and ensuring coordination among the ongoing projects of various government agencies. By monitoring progress and reviewing challenges, the cell will issue directives to address operational hurdles and streamline efforts.
In addition to technical oversight, the cell will undertake public engagement initiatives to raise awareness about the projects and encourage community participation. The gazette notification also allows the members to co-opt new members if required, ensuring flexibility in expertise and resources.
To facilitate its operations, the cell will receive all necessary administrative support from relevant ministries through the Ministry of Water Resources. The notification specifies that the order takes immediate effect upon issuance, marking the start of the cell’s active role in revitalising Bangladesh’s water infrastructure.
This initiative forms part of a broader governmental push to restore the ecological balance of rivers and waterways, improve water management, and enhance flood resilience across the country. Observers note that with Mirza Abbas at the helm, the cell is expected to strengthen inter-ministerial coordination and deliver tangible outcomes in both urban and rural waterway management.