United News of Bangladesh

Water Resources Minister Md Shahiduddin Chowdhury Anee on Thursday said the government has taken a plan to excavate and re-excavate some 20,000 kilometres of canals across the country over the next five years. He made the disclosure while replying to a starred tabled question by treasury bench member from Gaibandha-4 Mohammad Shamim Kaiser in Parliament. The minister said in line with the government’s election manifesto, canal excavation and re-excavation activities are currently underway in different districts under a nationwide programme for dredging rivers, canals, sanctuaries and other water bodies. He added that under the government’s 180-day action plan, ongoing projects implemented by the Ministry of Water Resources, Local Government Division and the Ministry of Agriculture will complete excavation and re-excavation of 1,204 kilometres of canals across the country by June 2026. “In addition, a total of 20,000 kilometres of canals will be excavated and re-excavated over the next five years through both ongoing and new projects,” Anee said. He informed the House that the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief will re-excavate and rehabilitate around 1,500 kilometres of canals by June 2026 under KABIKHA, KABITA and TR programmes. The minister noted that three canal re-excavation projects are currently being implemented in Gaibandha district under the supervision of the Local Government Division and the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief. “A large-scale project for canal excavation is also under formulation at the Ministry of Water Resources,” he added.

Water Resources Minister Shahiduddin Chowdhury Anee on Sunday said no canal excavation project would be halted under pressure from influential quarters, as allegedly occurred during previous unelected administrations. “The government led by Tarique Rahman will not suspend canal excavation projects in the face of any obstacles,” he told reporters while visiting the historic Choukkar Canal in Sreepur upazila of Gazipur. The minister said the Choukkar Canal was originally excavated during the presidency of Ziaur Rahman and emphasised the government’s commitment to restoring and protecting the country’s waterways. Canals to be reclaimed from illegal occupants: Water Resources Minister State Minister for Water Resources Farhad Hossain Azad, who accompanied him, said legal action would be taken against industries and individuals responsible for encroaching on canals and rivers. During the visit, environmental activists campaigning for canal protection submitted a memorandum to the minister, urging stronger enforcement measures to safeguard natural water bodies. The minister later inspected the Lablong Canal as part of his tour of the area.