State Minister for Water Resources Farhad Hossain Azad announced that a pilot project under the Teesta Master Plan will be launched shortly. The minister made the announcement while speaking to journalists at Chilmari river port area in Kurigram. He emphasized that the technical committee is actively working on the implementation of the Teesta Master Plan and consulting with experts from various countries.
Significance of the Teesta Master Plan
The Teesta Master Plan is a significant initiative aimed at managing the water resources of the Teesta River, which is crucial for the livelihoods of millions of people in Bangladesh. The plan involves a comprehensive approach to water management, including flood control, irrigation, and hydropower generation. The pilot project will serve as a test case to evaluate the effectiveness of the plan before full-scale implementation.
Minister's Remarks and Current Efforts
During his visit to several river erosion-hit areas in Kurigram, including Chilmari, Ulipur, Roumari, and Rajibpur upazilas, the state minister assured that the government is committed to addressing river erosion issues. He mentioned that two projects are already underway to construct permanent embankments and prevent river erosion in the district. The government is also conducting field-level visits with local members of parliament and relevant officials to expedite the implementation of these projects.
Azad further assured that there would be no political discrimination in measures to prevent river erosion, stating that the government stands beside all people affected by erosion. He emphasized that necessary measures are being taken to ensure that people do not lose their homes, markets, mosques, temples, or educational institutions to river erosion.
The minister also highlighted that emergency work is currently underway in around 100 erosion-prone areas of Kurigram, and instructions have been issued to take prompt measures wherever further intervention is required. Following his visit to Kurigram, the state minister planned to travel to Gaibandha to inspect two ongoing projects funded by the World Bank.
