Dhaka:The BNP government's Tk 34,497 crore Padma Barrage project is poised to bring major changes to Bangladesh's water management, agriculture, fisheries, economy, and environmental protection. The project targets the southwestern region, addressing longstanding issues like water shortages, salinity, and river degradation.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the project is expected to generate annual economic benefits worth Tk 7,127 crore, including an estimated increase of around 250,000 tonnes in fish production every year. State Minister for Water Resources Forhad Hossain Azad stated that approximately seven crore people across 120 upazilas in 19 districts would benefit directly from the project.
The Padma Barrage will store monsoon water for controlled distribution during dry seasons, reducing water scarcity, improving irrigation, and creating opportunities for flood management and riverbank erosion control. The project also aims to restore the flow and navigability of major river systems, protect the Sundarbans, and boost food security.
The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) approved the project, which is to be financed entirely by the government. The construction is expected to be completed by June 2033. The project will include infrastructure such as a 2.1-kilometre long barrage, spillway gates, under-sluices, fish passes, and a navigation lock.
Additionally, the project will provide irrigation to approximately 28.80 lakh hectares of agricultural land and support existing and proposed irrigation projects in the region. It also aims to mitigate salinity in specific areas, ensure freshwater supplies to the Sundarbans, and improve drainage systems.
The Padma Barrage project is seen as a crucial initiative for addressing water scarcity, reviving river systems, improving agricultural productivity, and protecting livelihoods in southwestern Bangladesh. Effective implementation and careful management of river flows, sedimentation, and environmental impacts will be key to its success.