The government is set to take a decision soon on the much-anticipated Padma Barrage project, as its technical survey and feasibility study are now almost complete, Water Resources Minister Shahiduddin Chowdhury Anee said on Wednesday.
The minister briefed journalists after an hour-long meeting with Prime Minister Tarique Rahman at the Secretariat, where they discussed water resource management, ongoing canal digging across the country, irrigation facilities for farmers during the dry season, and the Teesta project.
“The study report, technical aspects, and survey of Bangladesh’s largest project, the Padma Barrage, are almost complete,” Anee told reporters.
He said the project will be presented at an upcoming meeting of the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC). “Until then, we have specifically discussed what tasks need to be completed immediately on a priority basis.”
The minister emphasised the project’s national importance. “This Padma Barrage is very important for the benefit of one-third of Bangladesh’s population. The prime minister spoke about this project in Rajshahi before the election and made a promise, and we are following through.”
According to then water resources minister, approximately 24 districts of North Bengal will benefit significantly from the barrage. “Not just irrigation but considering all aspects in the public interest – how we can coordinate water flow, groundwater levels, fish farming, and the agricultural region – we have paid special attention to all these areas.”
The Water Resources Minister confirmed that the Teesta project was also discussed during the meeting.
“The Teesta master plan project was discussed preliminarily. Its feasibility study is already ongoing, but more studies are needed,” he said. “Considering the technical aspects, survey, and everything, we discussed how we can benefit and involve the people of that area and the people of the country.”
On the government’s canal digging programme, Anee said the prime minister will inaugurate digging work in Chandpur and Feni before the monsoon season begins.
“The prime minister will go to Chandpur on 16 May and to Feni on 25 May. He will inaugurate the canal digging programme there,” the minister said.
He noted that the prime minister has been prioritising the canal digging programme in districts across the country. “We have undertaken a programme to dig 20,000 kilometres of canals across Bangladesh over the next five years. Accordingly, the prime minister has already gone to several districts and inaugurated the digging programme.”
The minister said that honourable ministers and MPs have continued the programme in their respective areas. “Since the rainy season is almost upon us, we may be able to continue this programme only until May. After the rainy season ends, we will continue this canal digging programme again around November, December, and January.”
He confirmed that before the monsoon, the prime minister’s two scheduled visits are to Chandpur on 16 May and Feni on 25 May.
