Water Resources Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan speaking as chief guest at Pani Bhaban in the capital today on the occassion of World Water Day. Photo: PID

DHAKA, March 22, 2025 (BSS) - Water Resources Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan today said work will begin soon to protect about 20 km of banks of the Teesta River.

She said the Ministry of Finance has approved Tk 243 crore to protect 43 km of river banks in the erosion-prone area of Teesta.

However, riverbank protection work on 20 km banks of the river Teesta will begin this year, and the work on the banks of the 23 km will also start quickly.

The water resources adviser said this while addressing a discussion on the Reform in the Water Sector. The Ministry of Water Resources arranged the meeting at the conference room of Pani Bhaban at Green Road in Dhaka on the occasion of World Water Day.

Rizwana said the local offices of the Bangladesh Water Development Board have been instructed to keep enough Geo bags and blocks ready to work on an emergency basis.
In the context of the Teesta mega plan, the adviser said the period of Feasibility Study on the Teesta Mega Plan has been extended to two years on two conditions.

Power China will go to the people living on the banks of Teesta and talk about their plans, she said, adding that it will also talk to those who work on the river.

Rizwana said public hearings were held in five districts and now the expert level talks will be held.

Expert team will also come from China to discuss the issue, she added.
Water Resources Secretary Nazmul Ahsan presided over the meeting.

Director General of the Water Development Board AKM Tahmidul Islam, Director General of Bangladesh Wetland and Haor Department Md. Akhteruzzaman and Executive Director of the Institute of Water Modelling SM Mahbubur Rahman also spoke on the occasion, among others.