RAJSHAHI - The re-excavation of the 10.4 km Ichimari canal in Charghat has brought significant relief in irrigation, offering hope for resolving waterlogging and creating employment opportunities. Once known for its abundance of shrimp, the Ichimari canal, connecting the Baral River and the Musa Khan River, had become filled with silt, leading to an irrigation crisis and waterlogging. The completed re-excavation work has restored normal water flow, bringing joy to several thousand farmers who anticipate improved irrigation facilities and relief from waterlogging. Local people have already started retting jute in the canal water.
The project, implemented under the Employment Generation Program for the Ultra Poor by the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief, was allocated Tk 2.83 crore for the fiscal year 2025-26. The canal has been re-excavated from Jhaubona through the Baral River to the Musa Khan River in Nimpara. Alongside the canal, banks have been preserved, roads renovated, and two thousand trees planted. The project has provided employment to 654 ultra-poor individuals, ensuring both development activities and income during the lean period.
Local farmer Abdul Kader noted the convenience of retting jute closer to home, reducing time and cost. Another farmer, Hanif Ali, expressed hope for easier drainage and increased indigenous fish production. Moslem Uddin, a laborer on the project, highlighted the financial relief provided by the employment opportunity. Upazila Project Implementation Officer Farhad Latif confirmed that the re-excavation has largely resolved the long-standing irrigation and waterlogging problems of farmers.
Charghat Upazila Nirbahi Officer Jannatul Ferdous returned Tk 25.40 lakh of unused funds to the government treasury, emphasizing the importance of proper planning, transparency, and regular supervision. Locals expect that with regular maintenance, the canal will play a crucial role in agricultural production, conservation of fishery resources, and maintaining ecological balance. The successful re-excavation of the Ichimari canal underscores the potential for similar projects to address irrigation challenges and create employment opportunities across Bangladesh.
