Govt to build flood walls alongside embankments to strengthen flood control

The government will construct flood walls alongside embankment building and repair works as part of a broader strategy to strengthen flood control and water management infrastructure, Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury said on Thursday (June 11).

He made the announcement while placing the proposed Tk 9,38,000 crore national budget for FY2026–27 in parliament.

The Water Resources Ministry has been allocated Tk 10,533 crore in the new budget, the minister said.

The Finance Minister said integrated water resource management remains a top government priority, with ongoing initiatives covering irrigation expansion, flood control, river erosion prevention, land reclamation, drainage improvement and salinity protection.

Under the 2026–27 fiscal plan: 309 kilometres of embankments will be newly constructed, rebuilt or repaired; Flood walls will also be built alongside key embankment areas; 484 kilometres of river dredging will be carried out to improve navigability and remove siltation.

The government has set a target to dredge and re-excavate 20,000 kilometres of rivers, canals and water bodies over the next five years, of which 6,598 kilometres are already underway, according to official data.

As part of river restoration efforts, at least one river or water body in each division will be reclaimed and revitalised. Rivers including Dhaleshwari, Lohajang, Alaikuri, Magra, Salta, Sutang, Bankkhali and Barnai are currently under restoration to ensure improved water flow.

Authorities are also working on integrated development of haor and wetland areas and reducing salinity intrusion in coastal regions.

The government has recently approved the Padma Barrage Project under the ECNEC, aimed at long-term transformation of agriculture, environment and water management in the southwest region over the next seven years. Officials say around 37 percent of the country’s population is expected to benefit directly from the project, covering 120 upazilas in 19 districts across four divisions.

Additionally, the government is also moving forward with the Teesta Master Plan to improve livelihoods in the northern region.