Lalmonirhat: Relief and Disaster Management Minister Asadul Habib Dulu has announced the government’s plan to excavate and re-excavate 20,000 kilometers of canals over the next five years. This initiative aims to enhance agriculture, alleviate water logging, and strengthen flood management.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the announcement was made by the minister during the inauguration of the re-excavation work of the Borua Canal at Kulaghat union under Sadar Upazila. The event was organized by the Lalmonirhat district administration.
The nationwide canal excavation initiative is part of fulfilling the commitments outlined in the BNP’s election manifesto. The minister highlighted that this program was prioritized during the first cabinet meeting after the current government took office.
For this year alone, the government has set a target to excavate at least 5,000 kilometers of canals. The Relief and Disaster Management Ministry is responsible for implementing approximately 1,500 kilometers of this target. The minister mentioned that district administrations have identified canals across the country, with the excavation program being launched in 54 districts recently.
Dulu emphasized the benefits of restoring neglected and silted canals, including improved irrigation for farmland, enhanced drainage systems during monsoon, and reduced flood risks. Furthermore, fruit-bearing and medicinal trees will be planted along the canal banks to support environmental protection and contribute to the local economy.
The minister also noted that the canal excavation project would promote pisciculture, creating employment opportunities for local communities. The event was attended by Deputy Commissioner of Lalmonirhat H. M. Rakib Haider, Sadar Upazila Nirbahi Officer Mononita Das, Officer-in-Charge of Sadar Thana Abdul Matin, Lalmonirhat District BNP Joint General Secretary Mominul Haque, Co-Joint General Secretary ABM Faruk Siddiqui, and Kulaghat Union Chairman Idris Ali.