Desk Report:
Water Resources Minister Md. Shahiduddin Chowdhury Annie said that by increasing the flow of water through the excavation and re-excavation of rivers, canals and reservoirs, irrigation facilities for agricultural work and fish production will be increased in the dry season. He said that canal excavation will continue to eliminate waterlogging, increase cultivation and protect nature.
The minister said these things in his speech as the chief guest at the inauguration of the re-excavation of the Rajapur-Debingar Canal in Uttar Joypur Union of Lakshmipur Sadar Upazila on Saturday (April 18, 2026).
The minister said that the Rajapur-Debingar Canal is being re-excavated in the interest of the people of this area. If the canal is re-excavated, the people living on both sides of it will be protected from waterlogging in floods along with irrigation facilities for agricultural work. Trees will be planted on both sides of the canal to protect nature and the environment. He said that employment opportunities have been created by involving local people in the canal excavation program.
Annie Chowdhury also said that martyred President Ziaur Rahman revolutionized modern agriculture by digging canals. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, a new revolution will be created in agriculture through digging and re-excavating canals. In the first phase, excavations have been inaugurated in 54 districts under the nationwide canal excavation and re-excavation program. He said that a target of digging and re-excavating 20,000 kilometers of rivers and canals has been set in the next five years.
It is worth noting that 9 kilometers of Rajapur-Debinagar canal are being re-excavated at a cost of Tk 2.15 crore under the Employment for the Extremely Poor (EGPP) project of the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief.
Besides, the minister inaugurated the re-excavation of a 6.62-kilometer canal from Mora Meghna to Char Martin in Bhabaniganj Union of Lakshmipur Sadar Upazila at a cost of Tk 1.85 crore.
Additional Superintendent of Police Hossain Md. Raihan Kazmi, Sadar Upazila Nirbahi Officer Kathoypru Marma, Bangladesh Football Federation Vice President Wahid Uddin Chowdhury Happy, among others, were present as special guests at the inauguration ceremony presided over by Lakshmipur Deputy Commissioner SM Mehedi Hasan.
