Water Resources Minister Md Shahiduddin Chowdhury Anee has said that the ongoing canal excavation programme will bring a transformative change to people’s lives and livelihoods.
He described the initiative as a continuation of the work started by the late President Ziaur Rahman and emphasised that it is a key commitment of the current government.
The minister made the remarks on Monday while inspecting Choukkar Canal in Shreepur Municipality, Gaziapur, during a site visit and discussion session.
State Minister for Water Resources Farhad Hossain Azad also attended the event.
The minister highlighted that the government has prioritised public welfare from day one, focusing on irrigation for agriculture, increased fish production, improved water flow, and the removal of waterlogging through canal excavation.
He added that beautification measures, including tree planting along canal banks, will accompany the dredging work nationwide, including Gaziapur.
State Minister Farhad Hossain noted that the government has set a target to excavate and re-excavate 20,000 km of canals, ponds, and water bodies across the country over the next five years.
He also mentioned that Tk10,000 in agricultural loans has already been waived and that the Prime Minister will inaugurate family card distribution in 15 upazilas on 10 March.
Earlier, the minister inspected Lobondah Canal in Ward 5 of Shreepur Municipality and Gacha Canal in Tongi. Local officials, including Gaziapur-3 MP SM Rafiqul Islam, Deputy Commissioner Md Alam Hossain, Superintendent of Police Md Sharif Uddin, and Upazila Nirbahi Officer Md Sajib Ahmed, welcomed the minister.
