| Shitalakshya River | |
| Map: | BD Map Central Bangladesh.jpg |
| Subdivision Type1: | Country |
| Subdivision Name1: | Bangladesh |
| Subdivision Type5: | City |
| Subdivision Name5: | Narayanganj |
| Length: | 110km (70miles) |
| Discharge1 Location: | Meghna River |
Shitalakshya River (Bengali: শীতলক্ষ্যা নদী|Śītalakṣya Nadī pronounced: Shitalokkha Nodi) (also known as Lakshymā River) is a distributary of the Brahmaputra. A portion of its upper course is known as Banar River or Banor River. In the Shitalakshya's initial stages, it flows in a southwest direction and then east of the city of Narayanganj in central Bangladesh until it merges with the Dhaleswari near Kalagachhiya. The river is about 110km (70miles) long and at it widest, near Narayanganj, it is 300m (1,000feet) across. Its flow, measured at Demra, has reached 2600cuft/s. It remains navigable year round.[1] The Shitalakshya flows through Gazipur district forming its border with Narsingdi for some distance and then through Narayanganj District.
The river's maximum depth is 70feet and average depth is 33feet.
The Shitalakshya branches off the Old Brahmaputra and flows through the eastern part of Dhaka District almost parallel to the Old Brahmaputra. It passes by Narayanganj and joins the Dhaleshwari River.[2]
In Van den Brouck's map, the river is marked as Lecki, flowing west of the Brahmaputra. In Van den Brouck's time (1660), it was a large and swift flowing river. It was so till the early 19th century.[3] There, however, are some reservations about the accuracy of Van den Brouck's map.
Sonargaon, a former capital of the region, stood on the banks of the Shitalakshya. Isa Khan, a former ruler of the area, built a fort on the river's banks. It is believed to be connected with Lalbagh Fort in Dhaka through a tunnel. Sonakanda Fort, also on the river, was built to counter the Magh and Portuguese pirates. There are several historical mosques along Shitalakshya's banks – Bandarshahi mosque (built in 1481 by Baba Saleh), Kadam Rasul mosque (containing the footprints of Muhammad), Mariamer masjid (built by Shaista Khan), etc.[4]
The Shitalakshya River was once an important center for the muslin industry.[1] Even today, there are centres of artistic weaving on its banks. There also are a number of industrial units on its banks, including the Adamjee Jute Mills. Thermal power houses are located along the river at Palash (north of Ghorashal) and at Siddhirganj.[1] Industrial affluent dumped into the river resulting in high levels of pollution is a cause for concern.[5] There is a river port in Narayanganj.[1] Numerous launches move out along the river to different parts of Bangladesh. The government has approved construction of a container terminal on the river Shitalakhya with foreign investment.[6]