Previous govt avoided canal excavation to keep Zia's name from limelight: State minister

State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Aninda Islam Amit today (28 March) said that the previous government did not take initiatives to excavate canals, as it would have highlighted the role of former president Shaheed Ziaur Rahman.

He made the remarks while inaugurating the re-excavation of the Buruli canal in Keshabpur upazila of Jashore, where a project has been launched to address long-standing waterlogging in the Kapotaksha River basin.

"Because Ziaur Rahman's name would come to the forefront in canal excavation, the previous government did not take any initiatives for it. However, we want to find a permanent solution for the sufferings of the people of this region," he said.

The state minister inaugurated excavation work in a section adjacent to Buruli Primary School at around 10am. He later planted saplings at the site.

People living in areas along the Kapotaksha River have long been affected by waterlogging. As part of efforts to ease the situation, work has begun to excavate three kilometres of the Buruli canal under a broader project aimed at reducing waterlogging in the river and surrounding areas.

During the event, Amit said the government is working to resolve the problem on a long-term basis.

"The government wants to find a permanent solution for the suffering of the people of this region. To eliminate waterlogging in this area, the re-excavation of 81.50 kilometres of rivers is ongoing. At the same time, the re-excavation of 21 internal canals in the Bhabadah area is also underway," he said.

He also said the government sympathises with the difficulties faced by residents and is committed to addressing them.

"Had the previous government not lined its pockets in the name of development, the problem of Bhabadah would have been solved by now," he added.

The state minister urged the local administration and the Water Development Board to prioritise removing embankments and activating sluice gates before the monsoon to reduce waterlogging.

He said such measures could cut the impact of flooding by at least half compared to last year. He also called on young people to take part in the work on a voluntary basis.

The event, held at the Buruli Primary School grounds, was presided over by Jashore Deputy Commissioner Asheq Hasan.

Among others, it was addressed by Lieutenant Colonel Mamunur Rashid, project director of the waterlogging mitigation project; Superintendent of Police Syed Rafiqul Islam; Jashore District BNP President Advocate Syed Sabrul Haque Sabu; District Council Administrator Delwar Hossain Khokon; Keshabpur upazila BNP President Abul Hossain Azad; and Water Development Board Executive Engineer Palash Banerjee.

Local residents said the re-excavation of the Buruli canal would allow water from nearby beels, including Buruli, Pathra, Panjia, Chuadanga and Krishnanagar, to drain into the Upper Bhadra River.

They said siltation had long blocked drainage, causing persistent waterlogging and affecting crop production, and expressed hope that the project would bring relief.