AN ANALYSIS OF INLAND WATER TRANSPORTATION IN BANGLADESH: CONNECTIVITY AND INTEGRATION

Historically the development and economy of Bangladesh are highly dependent on the water transportation system. Data collected from Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority shows that Bangladesh has 24000km of waterway around the country. But only 5968km of this waterway is navigable in the monsoon and 3865km in the dry season. This paper analyzes two important factors of inland water water transportation system in Bangladesh. This paper firstly analyes the current connectivity scenario of inland water transportation system in Bangladesh by reviewing data from Bangladesh Inland Water Transportation Authority and Bangladesh Inland Water Transportation Corpration and Bangladesh Statistical Year Book-2020. In this paper integration is defined as a factor that identifies the intermodal connection of transport modes. Integration facilities of inland water transportation system is evaluated with respect to data collected from internet, local transport authorities. Integration of freight transportation via inland water transportation is evaluated with respect to EU countries as those countries now adopted intra modal freight transportation. Connectivity via inland transportation system is decreasing day by day as little improvmenet options are adopted throuhout the years. Another main factor which is identified by the paper there is no proper integration between water transportation modes and other modes. Finally, this paper will suggest some probable improvement options for sustainable development.