Re-excavation giving two Cumilla canals new lease of life

CUMILLA, Feb 20 (UNB): Residents of Chandina upazila and Chouddagram upazila of Cumilla district are dreaming of a new beginning as the re-excavation work of Kazipara canal and Kanail canal is going on in full swing under the supervision of Bangladesh Agriculture Development Corporation (BADC).
According to the local farmers and BADC, the authorities concerned will excavate the 3.5 kilometres area of Kazipara canal and 4-km area of Kanail canal.
After the re-excavation work, the crops on 3000 acres of land along the two canals will be protected after solving waterlogging problem during monsoon.
A total of 2000 farmers will be benefitted for the re-excavation of the canals as they will irrigate their cropland by the water of the canals during dry season.
During a recent visit to Barera in Chandina upazila along Kazipara canal, this correspondent found that many croplands turned into fallen land due to lack of irrigation.
Talking to the residents of the area, they said the canal is dead now. The lands along the canal remain stagnant or dried which is unfit for cultivation.
On Monday, the BADC authorities inaugurated the re-excavation work of the canal, bringing a new hope to the local people to revive the canal.
Project director engineer Mizanur Rahman said the BADC has conducted the re-excavation work of the two canals involving Tk 8.3 million (83 lakh).
He also expected increase in production of crops in the fallen land along the two canals after the digging work.