Bangladesh Inland Waterway Transport Project-1

The Bangladesh Inland Waterway Transport Project-1 is a major initiative supported by the World Bank to modernize and improve inland water transport along the Chittagong–Dhaka–Ashuganj Regional Corridor. The project is designed to make river transport safer, more efficient, and more sustainable, while strengthening the long-term capacity of the sector.

The primary objective of the project is to improve the efficiency and safety of passenger and cargo movement while ensuring the long-term sustainability of the inland waterway transport system. To achieve this, the project focuses on three main areas. First, it enhances navigation through the development and maintenance of river channels, ensuring reliable depth and width along selected routes and providing modern aids to navigation. This work is carried out under performance-based contracts to guarantee that river conditions remain suitable throughout the project period.

Second, the project improves facilities at key points along the corridor by developing two modern cargo terminals, four upgraded passenger terminals, and fourteen landing stations or ghats. These facilities, located within existing inland waterway port areas under the authority of BIWTA, are being modernized and expanded to meet growing demand for safer and more efficient transport services.

Third, the project strengthens the institutional and operational capacity of the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA). This includes improving management systems, developing human resources, and adopting international best practices to ensure effective governance, long-term financial sustainability, and enhanced climate resilience for the inland waterway sector.

Approved in June 2016, the project has a total cost of US$ 400 million, of which US$ 360 million is committed by the World Bank. It is being implemented by BIWTA on behalf of the Government of Bangladesh and is scheduled to close in December 2025. As one of the country’s most important transport initiatives, the project represents a significant step toward creating a modern, safe, and sustainable inland waterway system that will connect people, trade, and opportunities across Bangladesh.