Ministry told to take steps to prevent river erosion

Parliamentary standing committee on the Ministry of Water Resources (MoWR) recommended Thursday taking effective steps to prevent erosion in the areas prone to river bank erosion and complete the ongoing projects at a fast pace.

The committee also suggested involving elected public representatives in preparing new projects.

The committee made the recommendations at its 5th meeting of the 10th parliament at the parliament building.

Committee chairman Ramesh Chandra Sen presided over the meeting. Other committee members Anisul Islam Mahmud, Mohammad Nazrul Islam, AKM Fazlul Haq, Faridul Haq Khan, Mohammad Ekramul Karim Chowdhury, Mostafizur Rahman Chowdhury, Anupam Shahjahan Joy and Selina Jahan Lita also attended the meeting.

The meeting discussed in detail the Water Management Improvement Project (WAMIP). It also discussed the activities undertaken by the ministry during the current flood situation and the project for protection of Chowhali upazila in Sirajganj from the erosion of the Jamuna River.

The meeting was informed that the government has undertaken WAMIP project to implement sustainable water management activities by ensuring participation of local people. The project was undertaken with an aim to improve the overall management of national water resources.

This project will be implemented in 39 districts at an estimated cost of Tk 9.82 billion. Eighty per cent work of the project has already been completed. The project is expected to be completed by 2015.