Dhaka: The government is overhauling Bangladesh's river and water management system to address the country's chronic problem of seasonal water extremes, with too much water during one part of the year and scarcity during another, Prime Minister's Adviser on Finance and Planning Dr Rashed Al Mahmud Titumir said on Sunday.
According to United News of Bangladesh, Titumir highlighted at a seminar titled 'Transboundary Water Sharing Issues and the Padma Barrage', organised by North South University, that Bangladesh's core water management issue is the imbalance between water abundance and scarcity at different times of the year. The government is actively working to address this situation with the Padma Barrage project playing a key role.
Titumir emphasized the importance of the Padma Barrage in conserving water and maintaining the natural flow in the Padma basin, which affects the lives, livelihoods, and development of millions. He stressed that water conservation is crucial for the dry season and achieving a sustainable solution to the Ganges-Padma water-sharing issue requires mutual interest between upstream and downstream populations.
He noted the disparity in benefits, with upstream countries gaining more advantages while Bangladesh suffers during the dry season due to water withdrawal. The Padma Barrage project aims to benefit nearly 7 crore people across 24 districts in southwestern Bangladesh and calls for a fair water share from India.
The adviser also mentioned that the project, approved at a cost of Tk 347 crore, prioritises water conservation and river restoration. Conserved water will be used to reduce salinity in the southwestern region and maintain river flows.
Prime Minister's Special Assistant on Environment, Forest and Climate Change Saimum Parvez reiterated that the government will not sign any agreement compromising national interests, ensuring unity among stakeholders despite ideological differences.