Minister for Disaster Management and Relief Asadul Habib Dulu has said the government will begin implementing the Teesta Master Plan soon after completing necessary feasibility studies.
He said the project, aimed at improving the living standards of around 20 million people in the Rangpur region, was highlighted by the President on the first day of the National Parliament.
Discussions have already taken place with Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and work on the required feasibility studies is currently underway, the minister said.
He made the remarks while inaugurating what organisers described as the world’s largest cooking pot at a programme arranged by voluntary organisation Bidyanondo Foundation in Holokhana of Kurigram Sadar upazila.
He also said a disaster research centre will be established in Gazipur to facilitate research by both domestic and international experts on disaster management.
Around 1,500 kilometres of canals will be excavated across the country this year, including in Kurigram district, he said.
The minister added that the Test Relief (TR) and Kabikha programmes are ongoing and assured that special relief assistance will be provided to areas severely affected by disasters to ensure no one suffers.
Bidyanondo Foundation plans to use the newly inaugurated large cooking pot to prepare and distribute food among underprivileged people during disasters.
The programme was attended by Kurigram Deputy Commissioner Annapurna Debnath, Kurigram Superintendent of Police Khandkar Fazle Rabbi, BNP Kurigram district Convener Mostafizur Rahman Mostafa, Joint Convener Shafiqul Islam Bebu, Joint Convener Hasibur Rahman Hasib and Member Secretary Sohel Hosnine Kaykobad, among others.
