PM Chairs High-Level Meeting on DND Embankment, New Measures Planned to Tackle Waterlogging

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman chaired a high-level meeting on Wednesday to review the persistent waterlogging problems in the Dhaka-Narayanganj-Demra (DND) embankment area and discuss long-term solutions.

The meeting was held at the Prime Minister’s Office at the Bangladesh Secretariat, where officials examined the effectiveness of previous drainage projects and explored new strategies to address recurring flooding and waterlogging in the region.

Deputy Press Secretary to the Prime Minister, Md. Sujauddoula (Sujon Mahmud) said the discussion focused on sustainable solutions to the long-standing drainage challenges affecting residents of the DND area.

Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Water Resources Minister Shahiduddin Chowdhury Annee said that although a major drainage improvement project launched in 2016 was completed in 2024, local residents have yet to experience its expected benefits.

He announced that the completed project, currently under the Ministry of Water Resources, will be formally handed over to the city corporation within the next two weeks to ensure more efficient operation and maintenance.

The minister also revealed that a new drainage development plan is being prepared for the DND area. The proposal includes the construction and modernization of approximately 30 kilometers of drainage infrastructure to improve water flow and reduce flooding.

According to Annie, the proposed expansion has already been presented to the Prime Minister, who emphasized the need for a coordinated approach involving local authorities and relevant government agencies.

He expressed optimism that with proper management by the city corporation and joint efforts from all stakeholders, the DND area's long-standing waterlogging crisis can finally be addressed.

The meeting was also attended by State Minister for Water Resources Farhad Hossain Azad, State Minister for Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Mir Shahe Alam, Dhaka South City Corporation Administrator Abdus Salam, and RAJUK Chairman Engineer Md. Riazul Islam.