United News of Bangladesh

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Saturday inaugurated the re-excavation programme of ‘Bishwa Khal’ in Chandpur as part of a nationwide initiative to re-excavate rivers, canals and water bodies aimed at protecting the environment and strengthening climate resilience. The Prime Minister inaugurated the re-excavation work by cutting soil with a spade around 4:30pm at Ghosher Haat adjacent to Kumarduli village under Shahmahmudpur union of Sadar upazila. He later planted a neem sapling on the bank of the canal. Bishwa Khal is a long canal stretching from the Dakatiya River through Ghosher Haat to the border area of Matlab South upazila. At the inauguration programme, emphasis was placed on conserving water bodies, ensuring natural water flow and taking long-term measures to tackle the adverse impacts of climate change. Earlier, the Prime Minister inaugurated the re-excavation work on historic Khorddo Khal in Shahrasti upazila of the district, 48 years after his late father excavated it. After travelling by road from Dhaka, he reached the canal re-excavation site at Waruk Bazar in Tamta South union around 2:40pm and formally launched the programme by unveiling a plaque. Later, Tarique Rahman stepped down beside the canal and cut soil with a spade to mark the beginning of the work. He later planted a tree sapling on the bank of the canal. Khorddo Khal was originally excavated in 1978 under the initiative of former President Ziaur Rahman. After 48 years, the canal is being re-excavated under the initiative of his son – Prime Minister Tarique Rahman.