The Bangladesh Army will implement a project to re-excavate 81.5 km of five rivers in the Khulna and Jashore regions at a cost of Tk1.4 billion.
A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB) and the Bangladesh Army's 24 Engineer Construction Brigade on Monday, according to the environment ministry.
The government has initiated the project to address the longstanding waterlogging situation in the Bhobdaha region of Jashore and Khulna to alleviate the suffering of people during floods every year.
Under the project, a total of 81.5 kilometers of five rivers will be re-excavated, including the Harihar River (35 km), Hari-Teligati River (20 km), Upper Bhadra River (18.5 km), Teka River (7 km), and Shree River (1 km).
The Bangladesh Army will implement the project through the "Delegated Procurement" method.
The Bhobdaha region is a lowland area with several water bodies in Jashore and Khulna.
Flooding every year causes significant agricultural losses and human suffering after previous government initiatives failed to improve the situation.
The signing ceremony took place at the BWDB headquarters in the city. B.M. Abdul Momin, Superintending Engineer of Jashore Water Development Circle, Khulna, and Project Director signed the MoU on behalf of BWDB, while Lt. Col. Mamun Ur Rashid, Project Director of the 24 Engineer Construction Brigade, signed on behalf of the Bangladesh Army.
In addition to dredging, the project will improve drainage systems, manage excavated soil for local road use, and ensure environmentally friendly re-excavation through turfing and tree plantation.
During the event, BWDB Director General Engineer Md. Enayet Ullah mentioned that the current interim government has taken special initiatives to address waterlogging in Bhobdaha.
He also stated that BWDB and the Bangladesh Army will jointly implement, supervise, and monitor the project, which is expected to bring significant relief to the region once completed.
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