Padma Barrage construction to begin between Jan-Mar next year: Minister

Construction of the Padma Barrage will begin between January and March next year, with the seven-year project expected to directly and indirectly benefit people in at least 24 districts, Water Resources Minister Shahiduddin Chowdhury Anee said today (11 September).

"The Padma Barrage project was part of the ruling party's election pledge. After forming the government, we got the project approved by the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council under the leadership of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman," he said.

The minister made the remarks while speaking to reporters after inspecting the proposed Gorai River offtake channel and other project sites in Kushtia this afternoon.

Anee said the project would address longstanding problems caused by river erosion and flooding during the monsoon and reduced river flows during the dry season.

"People in the region suffer extensive damage from river erosion and flooding during the monsoon. In the dry season, reduced river flows increase salinity, affecting biodiversity in coastal areas. We took up the Padma Barrage project to address these problems," he said.

Earlier in the day, the minister inspected the point where the Gorai branches off from the Padma River.

Senior officials of the Water Development Board briefed him on the project's infrastructure plans and expected benefits.

According to the officials, an offtake channel will be constructed at the source of the Gorai to divert a specified amount of water from the Padma into the river during the dry season.

A hydropower project is also planned alongside the channel, which officials said could create an opportunity to generate electricity throughout the year.

The project will also cover the Hisna River, which originates from the Padma in Kushtia's Daulatpur upazila, according to the officials.

The Padma Barrage project is expected to be completed in around seven years.