Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Monday inaugurated the re-excavation of the historic Ulashi canal in Sharsha upazila of Jashore.He formally launched the work at around 11:20am by cutting the first soil with a spade at the canal site.
A munajat was offered at the venue, seeking the salvation of BNP founder Ziaur Rahman and former prime minister Khaleda Zia, and the welfare of the country.
Water Resources Minister Shahid Uddin Chowdhury Anee, State Minister Farhad Hossain Azad, State Minister for Power and Energy Anindya Islam Amit, State Minister for Local Government Mir Shahe Alam, and senior officials of the Ministry of Water Resources and the Bangladesh Water Development Board were present.
The prime minister later unveiled the inauguration plaque of the project.
The plaque states that Tarique Rahman, MP and Prime Minister, inaugurated the re-excavation of Ulashi Canal (Zia Canal) under Sharsha upazila of Jashore district on April 27, 2026.
The nearly four-kilometre canal stretches from Ulashi to Jadunathpur. It was originally excavated through voluntary labour on November 1, 1976, under the initiative of former president Ziaur Rahman. It later became widely known as the Zia Canal.
The canal is now being re-excavated under the supervision of the Bangladesh Water Development Board.
On March 16, the prime minister launched a nationwide canal excavation and re-excavation programme across 54 districts. The programme began with the re-excavation of Sahapara canal in Balarampur of Kaharole upazila in Dinajpur.
Earlier in the day, Tarique Rahman arrived at Jashore Airport at around 10:20am on a domestic flight. He then travelled directly to Ulashi by bus to inaugurate the project.
He is scheduled to attend a civic reception on the canal bank.
Later, after offering Zuhr prayers and having lunch at Jashore Circuit House, he will lay the foundation stone of Jashore Medical College Hospital and visit Jashore Institute Public Library.
In the afternoon, he will address a public rally at Jashore Central Eidgah Ground, organised by the district BNP.
The prime minister is expected to return to Dhaka by air in the evening after completing his programmes.
This is Tarique Rahman’s first visit to Jashore since assuming office as prime minister.
He last visited the district on February 2, when he addressed an election rally at Jashore Upashahar Degree College Ground as BNP chairperson.
