Adviser to the Ministry of Water Resources Syeda Rizwana Hasan said the government wants to reconnect the Shuvadda Canal with the Dhaleshwari and Buriganga rivers and restore its vibrancy.
“We must bring back this canal, in the interest of our nation,” said Rizwana.
Rizwana spoke at the inauguration of a project titled “Re-excavation of Shuvadda Canal and development and protection of both banks (Phase 1)” at the Shuvadda Canal area in Keraniganj today.
“This canal is not like other canals. It connects the Buriganga and Dhaleshwari rivers. Therefore, from an environmental perspective, its importance is unique,” said Rizwana.
She said that the Shuvadda Canal would be deeply re-excavated. Illegal encroachments would be removed.
“To prevent future encroachment, the canal banks will be reinforced with concrete in phases. We will build walkways along the banks wherever possible so that no one can occupy the canal again,” said Rizwana.
She said that the government has given the work to the Bangladesh Army after consultations. Moreover, she requested locals to extend their full cooperation to the Army in re-excavating this canal.
“The Army will carry out this canal restoration project in a way that is visible, remarkable, and memorable. As local residents, you are expected to give them your fullest support,” said Rizwana.
Today, the full budget, the available funds, and all related details have been shared with you. As citizens of the country, as taxpayers, and as residents of this area, you certainly have the right to know this.”
“To make the canal’s water blue and clear, we must stop dumping industrial waste and sewage into it. The local authorities must take responsibility for managing household waste,” said Rizwana.
Home adviser Jahangir Alam urged locals to remain vigilant so that unscrupulous land grabbers cannot occupy or fill up any part of the canal. He also called for a strong social movement against canal pollution and encroachers.
24 Engineering Construction Brigade of the Bangladesh Army is implementing re-excavation of Shuvadda Canal and development and protection of both banks (Phase 1) under the supervision of the Bangladesh Water Development Board, the project titled “Re-excavation of Shuvadda Canal and development and protect at a cost of Tk317.59 crore.
Engineer-in-Chief Major General Md Hasan-uz-Zaman, Senior Secretary of the Ministry of Water Resources Mokabbir Hossain, Dhaka North City Corporation’s administrator Md Ejaz, Administrator of Dhaka North City Corporation’s administrator Md Ejaz, among others, spoke at the programme.