Dinajpur Correspondent

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman today inaugurated a canal excavation program at Balarampur Sahapara in Kaharol upazila of Dinajpur. He formally launched the program by cutting soil with a spade.

After the inauguration, he planted a tree on the bank of the canal.

With the inauguration of the Sahapara canal re-excavation by the Prime Minister, the nationwide program titled “Excavation and Re-excavation of Rivers, Canals and Water Reservoirs” officially began today. According to the government’s election commitment, there is a plan to excavate and re-excavate 20,000 kilometers of rivers, canals, and water bodies across the country within the next five years.

In the first phase, the program will begin in 54 districts of the country. Government officials concerned said that the initiative will have positive impacts on reducing waterlogging, improving irrigation systems, increasing agricultural production, and conserving water resources.

The Prime Minister launched the program following the footsteps of his father, the martyred President Ziaur Rahman. During his tenure, Ziaur Rahman had initiated a nationwide canal excavation program, which played an important role in improving the rural economy, agricultural production, and irrigation systems. The current initiative is being seen as a continuation of that program.

Among those present at the event were BNP Secretary General and Minister for Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir; Minister of Social Welfare and Women and Children Affairs Professor Dr. Abu Jafar Mohammad Zahid Hossain; Minister of Water Resources Shahid Uddin Chowdhury Annie; Minister for Disaster Management and Relief Asadul Habib Dulu; State Minister for Water Resources Farhad Hossain Azad; Chief Whip of the National Parliament Mohammad Akhtaruzzaman Mia; along with local Members of Parliament and leaders of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party.

Earlier in the morning, the Prime Minister arrived at Saidpur Airport by air from Dhaka. From there he traveled by road to the event venue in Kaharol upazila of Dinajpur to inaugurate the program.

In the afternoon, he will visit the graves of his maternal grandparents and aunt at Sheikh Farid Model Graveyard in Dinajpur town. After the visit, he will address a public gathering at the Boro Math (large field) and later attend an iftar there.