Many canals across the country are facing an existential threat due to illegal encroachment, pollution and rapid urbanisation. There is not even a specific, unified database of these canals.
The government has taken a plan to excavate 20,000 kilometres of canals nationwide over the next five years. Of this target, 1,000 kilometres will be excavated within the first 180 days of the government’s current term. However, more than 1,200 kilometres are expected to be visibly completed during that period.
Amid growing concerns over illegal encroachment, the government has initiated steps to identify and map canals across the country. As part of this effort, a technical project has been undertaken to identify, classify and bring approximately 30,000 canals scattered across the country into a digital network. The project cost has been estimated at Tk 31.57 crore.
The project, titled “Identification, Classification and Development of a Geo-Informatics Database of Canals in Bangladesh,” has been initiated by the Ministry of Water Resources. The Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB) will implement the project, while the Agriculture, Water Resources and Rural Institutions Division of the Planning Commission will act as the cooperating agency. The project duration has been set from January 2026 to June 2029.
Primarily, the initiative is being undertaken to support the excavation of 20,000 kilometres of canals. An estimated Tk 31.57 crore has been allocated for preparing and implementing the project, including the identification of canals.
According to the Planning Commission, the main objective of the project is to create an integrated geo-information system-based canal network by identifying the source, outfall, flow path, basin and sub-basin of canals across the country, in line with the concept of Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM).
Although Bangladesh currently maintains an updated database of rivers, there is no comprehensive, standardised and unified database for canals. As a result, a lack of coordination and duplication of efforts among multiple agencies is often observed in canal excavation, re-excavation and maintenance.
Bangladesh is a riverine country. The world’s largest delta, formed by the sediment deposits of the Ganges, Brahmaputra and Meghna rivers, has given rise to countless canals across the region. It is estimated that there are more than 30,000 canals in the country. However, there is no single policy defining canals, classifying them or clearly assigning responsibilities.
Some canals originate from rivers and merge into other rivers, some connect wetlands or oxbow lakes, while others are known as hill streams. Despite such diversity and regional variations in names, there is no standard academic or administrative framework for canals.
Under the proposed project, canals will be classified based on their type, functionality and potential. Considering flood management, water conservation, drainage and irrigation capacity, canals will be categorised as large, medium and small.
Information on related infrastructure—such as culverts, bridges and regulators connected to rural road networks—will also be collected and incorporated into the geo-database. Historical records, including CS and RS maps preserved at upazila and district administrations, will be used. Opinions from local communities and stakeholders will also be taken into account.
Earlier, under a project titled “Updating Information of the Rivers of Bangladesh and ICT-Based Management,” data on the country’s flowing rivers were updated and an online platform and mobile application were developed. The new canal database will be integrated with the existing river database to ensure more effective integrated water management. The project also includes training arrangements for relevant officials and stakeholders.
Once a permanent, data-driven database is developed through canal identification and classification, it is expected to bring long-term benefits in water resource planning, flood control, irrigation expansion and environmental conservation. Clearer institutional responsibility will also enhance coordination in canal excavation and maintenance while reducing wastage.
Therefore, the project is being viewed not merely as a database initiative, but as a significant structural step towards strengthening the country’s overall water management system.
Water Resources Minister Shahid Uddin Chowdhury Anee, speaking at a briefing after a meeting of the cell on river, canal and reservoir excavation and re-excavation last Tuesday (March 3), expressed hope that the government would be able to excavate more than 20,000 kilometres of canals over the next five years.
The minister said the initial target was to excavate 1,000 kilometres within the first 180 days, but more than 1,200 kilometres of excavation would be visibly completed. He expressed optimism that over 20,000 kilometres could be excavated within five years.
The government intends to launch the canal excavation programme before the upcoming Eid-ul-Fitr. A meeting is scheduled for Thursday to finalise the plan, including which districts the Prime Minister will attend in person. According to the minister, the Prime Minister may inaugurate the programme in Dinajpur.