Magura: Cultural Affairs Minister Advocate Nitai Roy Chowdhury today inaugurated a canal re-excavation programme in Magura, marking a significant step in the government's nationwide development initiative. The event took place at the Narayanpur canal in Binodpur Union, Mohammadpur upazila, around 11:30 am.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the minister emphasized the government's focus on canal excavation as a means to propel the country's development. He expressed optimism that functional canals would provide farmers with essential irrigation facilities, thereby enhancing agricultural productivity. Drawing parallels with the past, he noted that the canal excavation initiative was once launched by Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman and has been reinvigorated by the current administration.
Minister Chowdhury also outlined the government's ambitious plan to excavate all canals across the nation within the next five years. He highlighted that the present government, despite not assuming power with an overwhelming public mandate, is determined to succeed by working closely with the populace to advance the nation.
Furthermore, he reiterated the government's commitment to transforming Bangladesh into a developed nation within South Asia and its efforts to combat crimes such as corruption, extortion, illegal sand quarry grabbing, market manipulation, and online gambling.
The inauguration event, presided over by Deputy Commissioner Md Abdullah Al Mahmud, was attended by several key figures, including Superintendent of Police Md Habibur Rahman, Executive Engineer of the District Water Development Board Mohammad Sarowar Jahan Sujan, Sub-Divisional Engineer of the Water Development Board Murad Hossain, and Mohammadpur Upazila Nirbahi Officer Mohammad Shahinur Zaman, alongside other local dignitaries.
Sources at the Water Development Board revealed that Magura district hosts over 150 canals, with plans to excavate and re-excavate 16 of them by June this year. The programme's commencement involved the excavation of a 955-metre stretch of the Narayanpur canal in Mohammadpur upazila.