Jashore: A major dredging of the Bhabadah area of Jashore has been commenced to address the region's longstanding water logging crisis. Under the supervision of the Bangladesh Army, dredging work is underway across 81.5 kilometers of six rivers, marking a significant step toward restoring natural drainage systems and improving local livelihoods. The initiative is expected to meet the longstanding demand of the residents in five upazilas of Jashore, Khulna, and Satkhira districts. Officials said the project aims to deliver both short-term relief and long-term resilience against seasonal flooding.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the formal inauguration of the dredging work was held on Friday at the Bhabadah sluice gate by removal of soil from the river using an excavator. Environment, Forest and Climate Change and Water Resources Affairs Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan joined the inaugural ceremony virtually. Jashore Deputy Commissioner Azaharul Islam, Executive Engineer of the Water Development Board (WDB) Palash Kumar Banerjee, Project Director of the Army Lieutenant Colonel Mamun Ur Rashid, WDB Project Director B M Abdul Momin, Monirampur Upazila Nirbahi Officer Nishat Tamanna, Keshabpur Upazila Nirbahi Officer Reksona Khatun, President of Jashore Press Club Zahid Hasan Tukun, and Chief Adviser of the Bhabadah Water Drainage Movement Committee Iqbal Kabir Zahid, among others, were present on the occasion.
Speaking on the occasion, Rizwana Hasan stated that the government is sincerely working to alleviate the suffering of the Bhabadah residents caused by water logging. She highlighted that it is a deep-rooted crisis, and the government has taken several coordinated projects to find a lasting solution. Expressing gratitude to the Army for taking charge of the dredging initiative, she mentioned that the dredging of 81.5 kilometers across the six rivers will help drain stagnant water from the affected areas in the short and medium term. However, the government continues to work toward a permanent solution, which requires combined efforts from all, she noted.
Lieutenant Colonel Mamun Ur Rashid stated that the Army has always carried out any challenging assignment with utmost responsibility and water logging in the Bhabadah region is also a very challenging task. An integrated project is also under implementation for this region, he said, hoping that it will be possible to free the people of this region from the curse of water logging with the cooperation of the local administration, government, and the people.