Government to revive Kaptai Lake, dredge surrounding rivers

The government is set to undertake a Tk 6.89-billion project to restore navigability in Kaptai Lake and four surrounding rivers in the Chattogram Hill Tracts, aiming to prevent flash floods and improve river transport in the region, officials said on Thursday.

Following the construction of the Kaptai dam in the 1960s to generate hydroelectric power, the Karnaphuli, Kachalong, Raikhiyong and Chalok rivers gradually lost navigability due to heavy siltation.

Officials said the resulting waterlogging has damaged Kaptai Lake's ecosystem and disrupted communication routes for residents in remote hill areas.

The Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB) will implement the "Sustainable Water Management at Karnaphuli and its Linking Rivers in Rangamati Hill District" project, which aims to dredge 65.7 kilometres of the four rivers, protect 11.75 kilometres of riverbanks, and re-excavate 25.85 kilometres of canals.

The Project Evaluation Committee (PEC) of the Planning Commission has recently endorsed the scheme, recommending a few adjustments before its final approval by the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC).

"This is a very important project for restoring navigability in the four hilly rivers, which serve as the main transportation routes for people living in remote upazilas and villages," said a senior Planning Commission official.

He added that once dredging and development work are completed, residents and tourists alike will benefit from smoother river transport across Rangamati.

According to the Development Project Proposal (DPP), the project is scheduled to run from July 2025 to June 2029.

An additional secretary at the Planning Commission said the BWDB has also been advised to carry out hydro-morphological studies to ensure the sustainability of dredging and prevent future siltation.

"The project will significantly improve communication and reduce isolation in the hill areas by restoring natural water flow," he said.

The Karnaphuli River, stretching about 160 kilometres, hosts the Kaptai dam, which supplies hydroelectric power to the national grid.

Its tributaries - the 125-kilometre Kachalong, 135-kilometre Raikhiyong, and 45-kilometre Chalok rivers - merge into the Karnaphuli as it flows through Rangamati, Chattogram and adjoining districts.

"Under the project, dredging and riverbank protection work will be carried out to safeguard local communities and the natural environment," a BWDB official said.

He added that residents of Rangamati have long demanded restoration of the rivers, which are their primary transport links to towns and markets.

"The project will also help prevent the unusual flooding that has become common since the dam's construction," the official noted.