Dhaka:The third meeting of the Committee on Public Undertakings of the 13th Jatiya Sangsad (JS) convened at the Parliament Bhaban today, chaired by Chairman and Chief Whip of the JS, Nurul Islam.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the meeting, attended by committee members and whips including Miah Nuruddin Ahamed, Md. Akhtaruzzaman Miah, Mst. Tahsina Rushdir, Khondokar Abu Ashfaq, Md Qaisar Ahamed, Biswas Jahangir Alam, Mustafizur Rahman Bhuiyan, and Md Kamal Hossain, focused on reviewing the ongoing activities, challenges, and future plans of the Ministry of Water Resources along with its subordinate bodies like the Bangladesh Water Development Board and the Water Resources Planning Organization (WARPO).
The committee emphasized the need for long-term, sustainable river management plans over short-term measures to prevent river erosion, recommending the use of modern technology and research-based insights in river training. They discussed strategies for managing silt, evaluating dredging effectiveness, and developing coordinated strategies to maintain navigability.
To address groundwater pressure, the meeting highlighted the importance of reducing deep tube well installations in critical areas, increasing surface water use, limiting groundwater extraction, and adhering to water reuse policies. Recommendations were made to expedite the ongoing WARPO survey and enhance research capabilities.
The committee also stressed the importance of coordinated excavation and re-excavation of rivers, canals, and water bodies under a unified policy framework. An effective master plan to tackle water-logging, waste management, and sewage disposal in the Dhaka-Narayanganj and Demra (DND) area was urged.
Additionally, resolving over 5,000 audit objections related to the Water Development Board, early fiscal year fund allocation for projects, and strengthening the board's institutional and technical capacities were highlighted as priorities.
Discussions underscored the necessity for nationwide excavation programs aligned with the government's environmental and climate resilience commitments within a sustainable water management framework. Officials from the Ministry of Water Resources, relevant departments, the Water Development Board, the Water Resources Planning Organization, and the National Parliament secretariat were present at the meeting.