Call for dredging rivers to save waterways

Shipbuilders', Launch Owners' and Cargo Vessel Owners' Association yesterday urged the government to take immediate steps for dredging rivers to save the waterway transportation.
The three water sector organisations that represent about 2,000 inland and coasting ships also demanded the government for zero tax facility in importing heavy capital machinery to let the ship making industry flourished.
They warned that plying of water vehicles would be stopped if the government does take urgent steps to dredge riverbeds.
"There was 28,000-kilometre waterways in our country but at present it has shrunk into only 6,000km and if immediate measures are not taken, the waterways will also die," said KM Mahmood ur Rahman, president of the association.
Association leaders blamed that the previous governments were not aware of improving waterways, as there was not much to gain in these activities.