Dhaka:The government is advancing efforts on the Teesta Master Plan, with the Ministry of Water Resources submitting a Tk 23-crore proposal to the Planning Commission to conduct a feasibility study.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the feasibility study aims to assess the technical and economic viability of the proposed interventions, which include a new barrage, river training, dredging, flood control, water conservation, and related infrastructure.
Water Resources Secretary Dr. AKM Shahabuddin emphasized the importance of the feasibility study for progressing with the Teesta Master Plan. The study will evaluate the viability of each component, guiding subsequent project developments based on its recommendations.
Planning Division Secretary SM Shakil Akhter noted that the proposal will be reviewed according to standard procedures, considering the project's necessity, cost, potential benefits, and feasibility. Approval would initiate the process of appointing a consultant through international competitive bidding.
The government prioritizes finding a permanent solution to the Teesta River's issues and promoting economic transformation in the northwestern region. This aligns with the BNP's 2026 election manifesto, which promises to secure a fair share of water from the Teesta and other trans-boundary rivers and to promote balanced regional development.
The master plan proposes a comprehensive package of river and regional development measures, including riverbank protection over 110 kilometers, dredging another 110 kilometers, and constructing 224 kilometers of flood-control embankments with roads. It also includes constructing or repairing 67 spurs and reclaiming around 170 square kilometers of land.
Engineer Md Ruhul Amin, director general of the Bangladesh Water Development Board, stated that the plan adopts an integrated approach encompassing river-flow management, bank protection, flood control, irrigation, and transport infrastructure. The feasibility study will identify specific locations for the proposed works.
The proposed embankment-cum-road infrastructure could enhance connectivity in riverside communities and provide flood protection. However, dredging will require careful consideration of the river's natural behavior, as river expert Mohammad Ejaz highlighted.
A new barrage is another major component under consideration, with the government evaluating its technical and financial feasibility. Dr. Md Ataur Rahman from BUET emphasized that the feasibility assessment must consider various factors, including environmental impacts and water-storage capacity.
The Teesta is vital to the lives and economies of people in Rangpur, Lalmonirhat, Nilphamari, Kurigram, and Gaibandha. The proposed master plan aims to address both dry-season irrigation challenges and monsoon flooding risks.
While the feasibility study is a step forward, several stages remain, including environmental assessments, project design finalization, governmental approval, financing, and implementation. If realized, the Teesta Master Plan could integrate water conservation, irrigation, flood control, erosion prevention, river training, transport, land management, and regional economic development into one comprehensive framework.