The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) at a meeting yesterday approved the increased allocation and revised the implementation period of the project.

Sadarghat-Ashulia section of the circular river route will be completed in the first phase of the project. Permanent landing stations and launch terminals on the route will be set up at Swarighat, Katashur, Rayer Bazar, Gabtali, Amin Bazar, Kholamura, Basila, Nawabganj and Ashulia.

The government will acquire around nine acres of land for the landing stations.

The ECNEC meeting, chaired by Finance and Planning Minister M Saifur Rahman, also decided to release funds quickly so that the project could be implemented within the stipulated time.

Financed by the government under its Annual Development Programme (ADP), the project is being implemented by the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA).

Shipping Minister Akbar Hossain told The Daily Star the river route will help reduce traffic jam in the city and improve transportation of goods, particularly essentials like rice and vegetables.

On completion of the project, launched in July 2000, many passenger launches would start from Amin Bazar to ease pressure on Sadarghat launch terminal, he added.

The minister mentioned that dredging of the Buriganga river is already going on and a big portion of the route is now ready for river traffic. He hoped that the project would also help develop tourism facilities along the river.

According to shipping ministry sources, Tk 11.32 crore had been spent on the project by June this year and Tk 7.89 crore was allocated under the ADP for fiscal 2003-2004.