PM Tarique inaugurates canal excavation with own hands, evoking memories of father Ziaur Rahman
The programme is being jointly organised by the Water Resources Ministry and the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP).
Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman inaugurated the re-excavation of the Sahapara canal in Dinajpur's Kaharole upazila today (16 March), symbolically cutting soil with a spade in a gesture that resembled a similar initiative taken decades earlier by his father, former president Shaheed Ziaur Rahman.
Tarique Rahman arrived in the Sahapara area of Ramchandrapur union of the upazila at 12:24pm and officially inaugurated the canal excavation at 12:28pm.
At the same time, the prime minister virtually inaugurated canal excavation and re-excavation works nationwide.
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Several thousand local people enthusiastically watched as the head of government himself dug the canal, following in the footsteps of his late father.
Nearly five decades ago, Ziaur Rahman had taken a similar initiative by personally digging canals to improve irrigation and increase agricultural production.
After the excavation programme inauguration, Tarique Rahman planted trees along the canal bank as a message of environmental protection at around 12:30pm.
Following the inauguration, he joined a rally organised on the canal bank by the Ministry of Water Resources and Dinajpur district BNP. Local leaders and activists, government officials, and residents of the area were present.
Speakers at the event said the re-excavation of the Sahapara canal, which has remained filled up for a long time, would improve drainage in the area and increase irrigation facilities for nearby agricultural land.
They said the initiative is expected to benefit local farmers.
Oliur Rahman, member secretary of Kaharole Upazila Swechchhasebak Dal, told TBS that the project involves the excavation of a 12-kilometre canal.
"A sluice gate will be installed upstream so that water can be retained during the dry season. Farmers will be able to use the canal water for nearby agricultural work. Twenty-four thousand trees will be planted along the two banks," he said.
He added that two nearby water bodies currently remain waterlogged during the monsoon, preventing cultivation. Once the canal is excavated, water will be able to flow out, making farming possible again.
"This canal extends to Jagannathpur. Ziaur Rahman excavated it around 47–48 years ago. After all these years, his son is excavating the canal again," he said.
Belal Hossain, who came from Sahapara to witness the programme, said the canal had once been large and widely used by local residents for various purposes.
Over time, however, it gradually filled up and became almost inactive. He expressed hope that the re-excavation would revive drainage and agricultural activities in the area.
After introducing the Family Card programme earlier, the prime minister launched the canal revival initiative to fulfil another election pledge made by the BNP ahead of the 13th parliamentary election.
Earlier, the prime minister arrived at Syedpur Airport from Dhaka by air at 10:15am. From there, he travelled by road to the Balrampur Sahapara area in Dinajpur.
Leaders and activists stood along both sides of the road to greet him as his motorcade passed.
This is Tarique Rahman's first visit outside the capital since assuming office as prime minister on 17 February.
He is also scheduled to address a public meeting near the canal at Sahapara.
The programme is being jointly organised by the Water Resources Ministry and the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP).
