The government has announced a series of measures to restore Dhaka’s rivers and waterways, including preventing pollution, improving drainage, maintaining navigability and exploring private-sector operation of water bus services. The announcement comes amid worsening pollution in Dhaka’s rivers. Habib proposed developing a “Blue Network” -- an integrated system linking rivers, canals, lakes, wetlands, retention basins, drainage channels and green spaces. He also called for stronger accountability among the multiple agencies responsible for water management and greater involvement of professional bodies, environmental organisations and local communities in protecting Dhaka’s waterways. “Residents must become active stewards of canals through community monitoring, awareness programmes and public spaces along waterways.