The government plans to introduce water-bus and other river transport services on Dhaka’s circular waterways with private-sector involvement, Sheikh Rabiul Alam said.
He said the proposed network would cover 110 kilometres around the capital and include four rivers.
The minister said a plan would be completed within two months, after which private operators could be engaged.
He said the initiative is intended to improve travel options for city residents and support river-based tourism and recreation.
Alam identified the Ashulia–Sadarghat–Narayanganj section as a part of the waterway that is relatively suitable for passenger transport.
He said other sections still face obstacles that would need to be addressed before services can operate.
On longer routes, he said, road travel can take 30 to 40 minutes while a water-bus journey may take one and a half to two hours, reducing passenger interest.
He said services may need to run every 15 to 20 minutes to build ridership, although that would raise operating costs.
Alam said the previous circular waterway service incurred about Tk57 crore in losses over the past decade.
He attributed the earlier losses to low passenger numbers, river pollution and the inability to operate enough water buses.
River pollution, improved riverbanks and low bridges, including the Tongi railway bridge, were identified as challenges for the new plan.
The minister said no separate budget has yet been set, and progress is expected to be reviewed after two to three months.