Dhaka: US Ambassador to Bangladesh Brent T. Christensen today visited the Teesta Barrage Project (TBP), the country's largest irrigation project, in Dalia of Dimla upazila here. The visit emphasized the significance of water management in Bangladesh's northern region.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the ambassador and his delegation arrived at the Teesta Oboshor Rest House around 11:30 am, where they were received by officials from the local administration and the Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB). The visit included a meeting with senior BWDB officials, local administration representatives, and political leaders to discuss the operation of the barrage, irrigation water distribution, and flood control and management strategies.
The meeting was attended by BWDB Director General Md Ruhul Amin, Chief Engineer (Northern Rangpur) Dr Sarfaraz Band, Superintending Engineers Md Ahsan Habib and Md Mizanur Rahman, TBP Executive Engineer Amitabh Chandra, Dimla Upazila Nirbahi Officer Md Imranuzzaman, and Hatibandha Upazila Nirbahi Officer Dipjan Mitra. Also present were former Nilphamari-1 MP Engineer Shahrin Islam Chowdhury Tuhin, Nilphamari District Jubo Dal General Secretary Shahadat Hossain Chowdhury, and other local political figures and dignitaries.
During the visit, Ambassador Christensen toured the TBP control room to observe the current water level of the Teesta River, assess the supply of water to irrigation canals, and understand the overall operation of the barrage. He also walked across the main bridge of the project, further inspecting the site.
The ambassador was joined by his wife, Diane Dow, along with US Embassy officials Nicole Clarissa Besnard, Syed Faizus Salehin, and Political Specialist Firoze Ahmed. The delegation concluded their visit with a lunch at the Teesta Oboshor Rest House before departing for Banglabandha Zero Point in Panchagarh in the afternoon.