Strong economically, politically – the Bangladesh we aim to build: PM Tarique
PM inaugurates canal excavation, re-excavation programme in 54 districts nationwide
Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has pledged to transform Bangladesh into a beautiful, prosperous, economically and politically strong country with the support of its people, saying his government has begun nation-building efforts through a nationwide canal excavation and restoration programme.
"With your support, we can make every plan a success," the prime minister said yesterday while addressing a public rally near Sahapara canal in Kaharol Upazila of Dinajpur after inaugurating the canal excavation and re-excavation programme in the afternoon, reports UNB.
The rally was jointly organised by the Ministry of Water Resources and the BNP. Local leaders and activists, government officials, and residents of the area were present.
Earlier, the prime minister inaugurated the canal excavation and re-excavation programme in 54 districts across the country. Just like his father, former president Ziaur Rahman, Tarique by cutting soil with a spade at Sahapara canal to launch the programme.
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Later, he planted a sapling along the bank of the Sahapara Canal.
At the rally, Tarique said, "We have started the work to build the nation through the canal excavation programme…We want to create a Bangladesh where people can assert their own rights and where the country will be strong both economically and politically. This is the Bangladesh we aim to build."
He stressed that the government's policies are aimed at benefiting farmers, empowering women, ensuring better healthcare, improving education for the next generation, and creating employment opportunities in agriculture and industry.
He also urged citizens to remain vigilant against those attempting to create unrest or mislead people with "sweet words".
He further recalled the heroic efforts of the people who fought for Bangladesh's independence in 1971 and of the students who ended the dictatorship through the 2024 mass uprising.
"It was the people of this country who doubled food production through efforts like irrigation and canal digging during the tenure of Martyred Ziaur Rahman," Tarique said, believing in people's strength to build a more prosperous Bangladesh in the future.
Later in the day, at a civic gathering and iftar event at Dinajpur Circuit House ground, Tarique said the government would take initiatives to establish agro-processing industries in the Dinajpur region to better utilise its agricultural potential and create employment.
"If agricultural products can be preserved and processed properly, the local economy will become stronger and employment opportunities will also increase," he said.
The premier also expressed concern over the growing reliance on groundwater.
"Previously water could be found at a depth of around 100 to 150 feet, but now in many cases it requires going down 600 to 700 feet," he said, adding that restoring canals and rivers could help recharge groundwater and reduce arsenic contamination.
Reiterating that the government has begun implementing the commitments made to the people before the election, the premier said, "Alhamdulillah, within about one month of forming the government, we have already started implementing many of the promises we made to the people".
Canal excavation programme costed, budgeted
As part of the BNP's initiative, ministers, state ministers, whips, and members of parliament inaugurated similar excavation programmes in other districts on the same day.
Finance and Planning Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury inaugurated the re-excavation of the Bamansundar Canal in Mirsarai upazila of Chattogram.
While talking to the media after the inauguration programme, he said the government has undertaken the canal excavation programme after careful financial planning and has already allocated a sufficient budget for it.
"Every project under the programme is costed and budgeted," he added.
The plans [canal excavation] were prepared based on clearly defined expenditure estimates and allocated funds, he said, adding that the initiative is part of a broader plan to revive rivers, canals, and other water reservoirs.
Referring to BNP's election manifesto to excavate nearly 20,000 kilometres of canals nationwide, the minister said that as part of the initial phase, the government aims to excavate around 1,200 kilometres of canals within the next six months.
He acknowledged that completing such a massive programme will take time and cannot be achieved overnight. Therefore, it will be implemented gradually in phases across different regions.
Addressing the issue of illegal canal occupation, he said that boundary demarcation of many canals has already begun and government-owned canals will be cleared of encroachment before excavation work proceeds
Meanwhile, State Minister for Planning Zonayed Saki launched the Boalia Canal re-excavation project in Bijoynagar Upazila, saying around 400 canals in the district have been identified for restoration.
State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam inaugurated a canal excavation programme from Bolerbag to Sonakhola in Manikdha union of Bhanga upazila of Faridpur, while Labour and Expatriates' Welfare Minister Ariful Haque Chowdhury launched the Katagang canal excavation in Moulvibazar Sadar Upazila, reports BSS.
Cultural Affairs Minister Advocate Nitai Roy Chowdhury inaugurated a re-excavation programme of the Narayanpur canal at Binodpur Union under Mohammadpur upazila of Magura, while Information Minister Zahir Uddin Swapan inaugurated a re-excavation work of Kutubpur Swanirbhar Canal in Nalchira Union of Gournadi Upazila in Barishal.
The National Parliament Whip and MP for Shariatpur-3 Mia Nuruddin Ahmed Opu inaugurated the excavation work of the Pokhomshar Canal in Nager Para Union of Gosairhat Upazila.
Jamaat welcomes initiative
Meanwhile, Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Shafiqur Rahman yesterday welcomed the canal excavation initiative taken by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman.
In a Facebook post, he said Bangladesh was once widely known as a riverine country where rivers played a crucial role in transport, trade and agriculture.
However, he said the combined impact of the Farakka Barrage and the filling of rivers, canals, and wetlands had severely disrupted the country's natural water systems.
He stressed that restoring navigability through proper dredging of major rivers should be a national priority, noting that previous river management efforts often failed due to corruption.
