PM to inaugurate nationwide Canal Excavation Programme today

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is set to inaugurate a nationwide canal excavation programme across 54 districts today (March 16).

He is expected to inaugurate the canal excavation at 11:30am, while similar activities will simultaneously begin at 53 other locations nationwide.

The programme will be formally launched through the excavation of the Sahapara Canal in Kaharole Upazila of Dinajpur.

According to the government plan, around 1,200 kilometres of rivers, canals and water bodies will be excavated in the first phase over the next six months. The broader initiative aims to excavate a total of 20,000 kilometres of waterways across the country within the next five years.

As per the Prime Minister’s schedule, Tarique Rahman will depart from Saidpur Airport at around 10:15am for Balarampur in Kaharole Upazila.

Following the inauguration, the prime minister will distribute goats among underprivileged families and later address a public gathering.

During the visit, Rahman is also scheduled to pay respects at the graves of his relatives at Faridpur Cemetery in Dinajpur in the afternoon.

He will later attend a civic reception and an iftar and prayer gathering at Gore-e-Shahid Boro Maidan in the city.

The prime minister is expected to leave Dinajpur for Dhaka at around 6:45pm after wrapping up the day’s programmes.