Local manufacturing makes Dhaka’s river dredging cheaper
June 16th, 2010 - 1:45 pm ICT by IANS
Dhaka, June 16 (IANS) Bangladesh’s massive river dredging drive is for the first time using locally manufactured dredgers that are more cost effective and also energy efficient.
Dredge Bangla (Private) Limited has manufactured two dredgers that have been engaged in dredging the river Gorai, which was almost dead due to siltation caused by inadequate flow of water from the river Padma.
“This is for the first time that locally manufactured dredgers are being used. These dredgers are less expensive and energy efficient,” said Mohsin Ali, sub-divisional engineer of Bheramara Dredger Division of the Water Development Board.
The firm began working under a Taka 60 million ($1 million) pilot project to develop indigenous dredgers, New Age said Wednesday.
Little dredging was conducted in largely riverine Bangladesh since the British left in 1947. As a result, most rivers are heavily silted.
According to a recent study of Bangladesh Water Transport Authority, over 600 km of rivers are unfit for navigation.
The Sheikh Hasina government has launched a massive drive with Gorai and rivers surrounding Dhaka, the national capital, being taken up as priority.
While it is seeking international assistance, a part of the funding would come from the $1 billion loan on easy terms India committed in January when Hasina visited New Delhi.
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- Dhaka, Delhi finalise 14 projects worth $1 bn - Jul 21, 2010
- Dhaka makes long-term plan to dredge 'dying' rivers - Aug 26, 2009
- Dhaka to spend $1.6 bn to dredge 53 rivers - Oct 06, 2009
- Dhaka, Delhi resume talks on river water sharing - Jan 10, 2011
- Dhaka approves $7 bn for development projects - May 20, 2012
- Bangladesh, China sign deal for bridge - Jan 04, 2012
- Dhaka prepares to meet donor agencies' consortium - Feb 01, 2010
- 62 ships stranded in Bangladesh port - Apr 23, 2009
- Five injured as naval shell explodes in shipyard - Feb 23, 2012
- 31 die in Bangladesh boat capsize (Third Lead) - Mar 13, 2012
- Bangladesh preparing to import Indian power - May 24, 2010
- Dhaka seeks foreign aid to dredge silted rivers - May 07, 2009
Tags: 1 billion, 1 million, 60 million, ali, bangladesh, dhaka, dredgers, engineer, gorai, international assistance, mohsin, new age, New Delhi, pilot project, priority, rivers, sheikh hasina, transport authority, water development board, water transport