Gorai river is also being accorded priority since its process was on during her previous tenure in the government (1996-2001), with financial help from foreign development partners'.

She regretted that the subsequent government of Begum Khaleda Zia (2001-06) had stopped this and other dredging projects, The Daily star said.

Lack of dredging has caused floods, tidal surges and river erosions, she said.

Besides Karnaphuli and Pashur, which feed Chittagong and Mongla ports respectively, Dhaleswari, Kapatakkha, Turag, Balu and other rivers will also be dredged in phases, the prime minister said.