20,000 km canals to be excavated across country in next 5 years: PM

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has said the government has planned to excavate 20,000 kilometres of canals across the country over the next five years. If everyone works together, the country's water problems can be solved, Insha'Allah. Excavating canals will help protect people, property, livestock and crops during floods.

The prime minister made these remarks after inaugurating the re-excavation work of the Chowkidaha canal in Bagbari Nashipur, Bogura, around 3:45 pm on Monday, April 20.

The prime minister said, "Today we dug the Chowkidaha canal here. If there are any elders here aged 60-70 or more, they surely remember that my father, Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman, dug this canal in 1979. We have dug this canal, approximately one kilometre long. As a result of digging this canal, during excessive rainfall in the monsoon season, the surrounding water will accumulate here. Again, during the dry season when water is scarce, if there is water in this canal, farmers will have water for cultivating their land. That is, the local people will benefit."

Appealing to locals, he said, "Let us re-excavate this canal and bring back water. Let us plant trees on both sides of the canal. We will also see whether fish farming can be arranged in the canal so that unemployed youths in the area get work. Mothers and sisters can also cultivate vegetables alongside."

The prime minister said due to canals and rivers becoming silted up, people are suffering from water shortages, and excess water cannot be retained during the rainy season. As a result, water is not available when needed. Therefore, canal excavation is essential.

He said, "I am a son of your area. Pray that the programmes we have undertaken, including this canal excavation, are successful. This is my own home, my own people. I will come again in a few days, Insha'Allah."

Earlier, the prime minister arrived in his birthplace Bagbari at 2:00 pm. He then inaugurated the measles-rubella vaccination programme at the Ziaur Rahman Gram Hospital in Bagbari around 2:30 pm. Later, at 3:00 pm, he distributed Family Cards among beneficiaries at Shaheed Ziaur Rahman College ground.

At 3:40 pm, the prime minister inaugurated the re-excavation work of the Chowkidaha canal in Nashipur. Thousands of people standing on both banks of the canal welcomed him upon his arrival. The prime minister responded to the crowd's greetings by waving his hand.

After the canal excavation programme, he visited his ancestral home around 4:00 pm. After a brief stop there, he is scheduled to leave for the city at 4:30 pm. Later, around 5:00 pm, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is scheduled to address a district BNP rally at Altafunnesa playground in Bogura city as chief guest.