Dhaka: A memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed today between the Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB) and Bangladesh Army’s 24 Engineer Construction Brigade to address the longstanding waterlogging problem in the Bhobdaha region in Jashore and Khulna districts. The signing ceremony was held at the BWDB headquarters in Panthapath here, an environment ministry’s press release said here.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, B.M. Abdul Momin, Superintendent Engineer of Jashore Water Development Circle, Khulna, and Project Director signed the MoU on behalf of BWDB while Lt. Col. Mamun Ur Rashid, Project Director, 24 Engineer Construction Brigade signed on behalf of the Bangladesh Army.
Under the project, a total of 81.5 kilometers of five rivers will be re-excavated. The rivers included in the project are the Harihar River (35 km), Hari-Teligati River (20 km), Upper Bhadra River (18.5 km), Teka River (7 km), and Shree Nadi (1 km). The cost of the project has been estimated at Taka 13,998.19 lakh and will be implemented by the Bangladesh Army through the ‘Delegated Procurement’ method as per government directives.
The project aims to improve drainage systems, manage excavated soil for use as local roads, and ensure environmentally friendly re-excavation through turfing and tree plantation. BWDB Director General Engineer Md. Enayet Ullah stated that the present interim government has taken special initiatives to resolve the waterlogging problem in Bhabodaha. BWDB and the Bangladesh Army will jointly implement, supervise, and monitor the project, which is expected to bring significant relief to the region once completed.
Md. Aminul Islam, Additional Chief Engineer, South-West Region, BWDB, Khulna, Lt. Col. Tanvir Ahmed, Staff Officer-1 (Planning), 24 Engineer Construction Brigade, Palash Kumar Banerjee, Executive Engineer, Jashore Water Development Division, BWDB, and Major Gazi Nazmul Hasan, Project Officer, 24 Engineer Construction Brigade, were present at the event.