Water Resources Minister Md. Shahiduddin Chowdhury Anee today inspected the re-excavation of the Shubhadhya Canal and Ati Canal in Dhaka's Keraniganj. Photo: PID

Dhaka, Feb 25, 2026 (BSS) - Water Resources Minister Md. Shahiduddin Chowdhury Anee 
today said canals will be recovered from illegal occupants. 

"Necessary tree plantation and beautification initiatives will be undertaken 
to protect canal banks," he said during a visit to inspect the re-excavation 
of the Shubhadhya Canal and Ati Canal, as well as bank protection works on 
both sides of the canals in Keraniganj.

State Minister for Water Resources Forhad Hossain Azad was also present on 
the occasion.

Anee said necessary infrastructure will be constructed for canal excavation, 
development, and conservation. 

By engaging the LGRD and Cooperatives Ministry, initiatives will be taken to 
prevent canal pollution across the country through modern waste management 
systems, he said.

The minister said canal excavation and recovery are being carried out under 
ongoing projects, and priority-based projects will be undertaken nationwide 
for canal excavation. 

The work on Shubhadhya and Ati canals in Keraniganj will be completed soon, 
he said adding that a second-phase project will be undertaken to ensure 
sustainability, maintain connectivity with rivers, and ensure proper water 
flow.

He noted Prime Minister Tarique Rahman announced a programme to excavate and 
re-excavate 20,000 kilometers of canals, ponds, and water bodies across the 
country over the next five years. 

The premier also emphasized the importance of biodiversity conservation and 
the formulation of proper and modern waste management strategies, he said.

State Minister Forhad Hossain Azad said in line with the government's 
election pledge, a programme has been taken to excavate 20,000 kilometers of 
canals and plant 50 million trees over the next five years.

He added that canal excavation and re-excavation will ensure irrigation 
facilities for agriculture, restore navigability of rivers, and eliminate 
waterlogging.

During the visit, the water resources minister inspected the Khejur Bagh, 
Jora Bridge, and Chunkutia areas of Shubhadhya Canal, as well as the Joynagar 
area of Ati Canal. 

Dhaka-2 lawmaker Aman Ullah Aman, Keraniganj Upazila Nirbahi Officer Md. Omar 
Faruk and BNP leader Nipun Roy Chowdhury were present.