Water Resources Minister Md Shahiduddin Chowdhury Anee has announced that the feasibility survey for Teesta Mega Plan will be completed very quickly to jump start this project.
Anee shared this information on Sunday while briefing the media on Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s official state visit to China.
Anee informed the press that China has agreed to a facility study regarding the Teesta River. “We will jointly complete that study by coming together on that agreement. We hope to finish the study within the shortest possible time,” he stated.
The minister further noted that cooperation has been sought from China for the overall management of other rivers as well.
He mentioned that while involvement regarding various other rivers will be adjusted, a decision on the timeline for the Teesta project will be made soon based on the cooperation China provides.
The government intends to bring the Teesta plan to the public’s doorstep shortly, with a specific focus on ensuring that work can begin within the current budget.
Highlighting Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s high-level meetings, Anee said the Teesta issue was discussed several times, including in the presence of the Chinese president and the Chinese prime minister.
The discussions, which included China’s Minister of Water Resources, Li Guoying, and the Bangladeshi delegation of ministers and advisors, resulted in the decision to move forward.
“It was very urgent for us to move towards a realistic form to alleviate the long-standing suffering of hundreds of thousands of people in the Teesta basin,” the Minister said, explaining that China has agreed to provide the necessary technical assistance through a facility study.
Anee also reflected on the historical ties between the two nations, noting that the relationship was established in 1976 by former president Ziaur Rahman, who visited China twice. This relationship was later deepened by Khaleda Zia during her seven visits to the country.
Tarique began his first state visit on 21 June, visiting Malaysia before travelling to China. He spent two days at the World Economic Forum in Dalian before arriving in the capital, Beijing, on Wednesday afternoon.
During the Beijing leg of the visit, Tarique held bilateral and private meetings with President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Li Qiang at the Great Hall of the People. He also met with Zhao Leji, Chairman of the National Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress.
The prime minister’s delegation included Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman, Water Resources Minister Shahid Uddin Chowdhury Anee, and Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapon.
Also present were State Minister for Energy and Power Anindya Islam Amit, State Minister for Civil Aviation Rashiduzzaman Millat, and Advisors Humayun Kabir, AKM Shamsul Islam, Rashed Al Mahmud Titumir, and Mahdi Amin.
