Desk Report:
Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs Minister Dipen Dewan said that martyred President Ziaur Rahman undertook a nationwide canal digging program with the far-reaching goal of overall development of the country’s farmers and alleviating waterlogging during the monsoon season. He lamented that those who came to power after Shaheed Zia did not dig rivers and canals, but were obsessed with occupying rivers and canals.
The minister said these things in response to questions from journalists after inaugurating a few canal re-digging programs in Sapchhari and Kutukchhari unions of Rangamati Sadar Upazila on Sunday (April 26, 2026).
The minister today launched the work of re-digging canals of about 33 kilometers in Sapchhari and Kutukchhari unions at a cost of 8.5 crore taka. This includes excavation from Manikchhari Chhatra Bridge to Barapara Nala. In addition, canal excavation from Kutukchhari Bazar to Montala to Maurum and Bagachhari.
The minister said that as part of the 31-point reform program announced by the government, canal excavation activities have started again across the country under the 180-day priority plan. He further said that through the canal excavation program, not only agricultural production will increase, but new entrepreneurs will be created in this area. The government is taking special projects for the self-employment of local working people, which will bring revolutionary changes in the economy of the hilly region.
Among others present at the event were Rangamati Deputy Commissioner Nazma Ashrafi, Minister’s Private Secretary (Deputy Secretary) Rabindra Chakma, Rangamati Sadar Upazila Executive Officer (UNO) Kamrul Hossain Chowdhury, LGED Executive Engineer Ahmed Sofi, Rangamati District BNP General Secretary Mamunur Rashid Mamun, and senior local administration officials and political leaders.
