China wants to start Teesta Master Plan work soon: Rizwana

Adviser to the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Environment, Forests and Climate Change and Water Resources, Syeda Rizwana Hasan has said that China wants to start Teesta Master Plan work as soon as possible.

"Both Bangladesh and Chinese governments are committed to implementing the TMP. Since the verification process of the project is not completed, it is not possible to start its work right now," she said. 

She made the remarks while talking to local reporters after visiting the erosion-prone area of the river Teesta along with Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen in Tepamadhupur Taluk Shahbazpur area of Kawnia upazila in Rangpur this afternoon. 

Syeda Rizwana Hasan said that political parties of the country are also promising to implement the Teesta Master Plan in their manifestos for the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election.

Therefore, it is not that the work will start by 26 January in a hurry; we are giving some time so that the work is done better. But there is no need to spread disappointment about this," she added.  

"After receiving the project, we sent it to China with public hearings and opinions of experts at the national level. Now Chinese experts are scrutinising, sorting it," she said. 

So the Chinese ambassador said that they are scrutinising this project very well so that they can complete the work without any mistake as the people of Bangladesh have high expectations for this project. 
 

"The Teesta Master Plan is a relatively complex project as it includes flood control, river erosion prevention and irrigation activities. Therefore, various issues are being analysed. As a result, China is taking some time to prove its feasibility," she said.

She said China is friendly with Bangladesh. The main thing in Bangladesh's foreign policy is friendship. Since China is a neighbouring country, our relations with it are close. China also has relations with Bangladesh's rivers," she added.  

"In addition, China has come forward to build a big hospital. For this, I am grateful to them. The future of the Teesta Master Plan is very bright because this work was not left behind by the interim government," she said. 

The adviser said that political parties have pledged to implement this project. Therefore, disappointment cannot be spread, she said, adding that if an agreement is reached after a study, the money we pay is very difficult to change if more money is needed later. 

"Therefore, let's go through a process that is tolerable for both countries and good for the people," she said. 

Rizwana said that achieving a fair share of the Teesta river water is an ongoing process. Besides, it is a big political issue. 

"So we think that the elected government will come and work to achieve a fair share of water. We have made preparations in the case of the Ganges and the Teesta so that they do not have to wait for the elected government to come," she said.

At that time, Chinese Ambassador Mr Yao Wen, Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Enamul Ahsan, Director of Riverine People Professor Dr Tuhin Wadud, Executive Engineer of Water Development Board Rabiul Islam and others were present. 

Earlier, in the morning, the adviser with the Chinese ambassador and high officials visited the Teesta Road Bridge and Railway Bridge built on the river Teesta in Kawnia upazila of Rangpur. 

During the visit, Rangpur Water Development Board Executive Engineer Md Rabiul Islam highlighted the nature and crisis of the Teesta River, which is surrounded by five districts in northern Bangladesh. 
Later, the adviser, with the Chinese ambassador and officials, toured the Teesta River by boat from the Teesta Railway Bridge area.