Water Resources Minister Md Shahiduddin Chowdhury Anee has announced plans to reclaim canals from illegal occupants and restore the country’s waterways.
The minister said tree planting and beautification along canal banks would also be undertaken to protect and enhance the waterways.
Speaking as the chief guest during an inspection of the Shubhaddya and Aati canals in Keraniganj on Wednesday, the minister said essential infrastructure would be developed for canal dredging, conservation, and maintenance.
Modern waste management systems, implemented through the Local Government Ministry, would help prevent pollution nationwide.
Water Resources State Minister Farhad Hossain Azad was present during the inspection.
The minister said ongoing projects are already restoring canals, and similar projects will be prioritised across the country. Work on the Shubhaddya and Aati canals in Keraniganj is expected to be completed soon.
A second phase of the project will ensure sustainability, maintain water flow, and connect the canals to nearby rivers.
He also cited Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s five-year plan to dredge and restore 20,000 km of canals, ponds, and other water bodies nationwide, stressing the importance of biodiversity conservation and modern waste management practices.
State Minister Farhad Hossain Azad added that the government’s five-year programme includes dredging 20,000 km of canals and planting five crore trees.
He noted that canal restoration would improve irrigation for agriculture, restore river navigability, and help reduce waterlogging in urban and rural areas.
During the visit, the minister inspected the Khajurbag, Jorabir Bridge, and Chunkutia sections of Shubhaddya Canal, as well as the Zainagar area of Aati Canal.
Dhaka-2 MP Aman Ullah Aman, Keraniganj Upazila Nirbahi Officer Md Omar Faruk, and senior politician Nipur Roy Chowdhury were also present.
