Spadework work goes on to secure approval for Teesta Master Plan as quickly as possible, says the Water Resources Minister as the government moves to fast-track the long-stalled crucial water-management project.
Mohammad Shahid Uddin Chowdhury Anee says final assessments are underway to ensure that people living along the Teesta River basin receive the maximum benefits from the project.
"The current government is committed to public welfare, and the Teesta Master Plan is being carefully reviewed to ensure the best outcome for local communities," the minister told an exchange-of-views meeting in Lalmonirhat while visiting the Teesta River on Friday.
Disaster Management and Relief Minister Asadul Habib Dulu and State Minister for Water Resources Farhad Hossain Azad were also present.
Mr Anee says the government wants to begin work on the project only after completing all necessary evaluations to ensure it serves national interest and delivers sustainable benefits to the people of the Teesta basin in northern Bangladesh.
"The project is being handled with utmost caution to ensure long-term gains for communities in the region," the Water Resources Minister told his audience.
Emphasising government focus on implementation, the minister notes that the Padma Barrage Project has already been approved. Also, initiatives have been taken to revive the canal-excavation programme introduced during the tenure of former President Ziaur Rahman.
According to him, the government plans to excavate and re-excavate around 20,000 kilometres of rivers, canals and water bodies across the country over the next five years.
State Minister Farhad Hossain Azad says local and international experts are being consulted on the Teesta Master Plan. Once the review process is completed, the proposal will be placed before the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) for approval.
He adds that the government is implementing the Padma Barrage Project with its own resources and would consider financing the Teesta project domestically too, if necessary.
During the visit, the ministers and accompanying officials inspected several rivers and water-management sites in Nilphamari and Lalmonirhat frontier districts, including Chandar Hat, Kochukata, the Tengan River, Jaldhaka, Deonai, Charalkata River, Rajarhat, Dhanjai and the Teesta Main Irrigation Canal.
Water Resources Secretary Dr AKM Shahabuddin, Bangladesh Water Development Board Director- General Md Enayet Ullah and Additional Director-General Md Ruhul Amin, and senior district and upazila officials were also present.
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