Study on Garbage Discharging into Karnaphuli River from Chaktai and Rajakhali Khal: Way Forward

Abstract The Karnaphuli River and its network of canals, locally known as khals, are vital to Chattogram City, Bangladesh, as they support transportation, commerce, and flood management. However, the well-being of this system is severely hampered due to indiscriminate siltation, sedimentation, encroachment, and inadequate garbage management. These facts, taken together, led to a significant issue: a decrease in the navigability of the river, making the berthing of large ships difficult for the Chattogram Port Authority. A single practice of the city largely shapes the entire scenario: its garbage disposal. Among the 57 khals of Chattogram, the Chaktai and the Rajakhali are two of the most contributing khals to this crisis. This study finds that developing and maintaining a robust garbage infrastructure by introducing innovative techniques may help address this issue to a significant extent. The study identifies the causes and impacts of waste accumulation across the khals and river beds. This paper aims to explore potential solutions by coordinating previous, existing, and upcoming development efforts planned by the prevailing authorities and introducing new tools to mitigate garbage discharge into the Karnaphuli River. It proposes a comprehensive waste management system, along with the deployment of floating trash log booms and silt traps at selected locations, to restore the well-navigable River Karnaphuli.