DHAKA, June 14, 2026 (BSS) - The Local Government Division of the ministry has formed two separate committees to accelerate the demarcation and restoration of all the canals under the two city corporations of the capital.

According to an office order issued on June 11, by the City Corporation-1 wing of the Local Government Division, the decision was taken following an emergency meeting chaired by Mir Shahe Alam. 

The meeting resolved to undertake coordinated measures for the demarcation and restoration of Dhaka’s canals both under the Dhaka South and North City Corporations and to address the city’s persistent water-logging problems.

Under the order, a 12-member committee has been formed for Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC). The Chief Engineer of the DNCC will serve as the convener of the committee. The committee members are- regional executive officers, additional chief engineers and executive engineers of the DNCC, the zonal settlement officer of Dhaka, the Additional Deputy Commissioner (Revenue) of Dhaka district and representatives from the Construction Supervision Consultant (CSC), Dhaka Metropolitan Police, Dhaka WASA, Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha, Bangladesh Water Development Board and the Roads and Highways Department (RHD).

Similarly, an 11-member committee has been formed for Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) with the Chief Engineer of the DSCC serving as convener. Members of the committee include regional executive officers, additional chief engineers and executive engineers, the zonal settlement officer of Dhaka, the Additional Deputy Commissioner (Revenue) and representatives from CSC, DMP, Dhaka WASA, BWDB and the RHD.

According to the committees’ terms of reference, all canals under the respective city corporations must be demarcated and their boundaries clearly identified on a priority basis within the next three months. Detailed reports are to be submitted to the Local Government Division of the Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Ministry upon completion of the work.

The committees may seek advice from the respective city corporation administrators when necessary and may co-opt additional members to support their activities.

The Local Government Division expressed hope that the initiative would facilitate the proper identification of canal boundaries, removal of encroachments, restoration of waterways and more effective implementation of water-logging mitigation measures across Dhaka.