Water Resources Minister Md. Shahiduddin Chowdhury Anee. File Photo

DHAKA, March 2, 2026 (BSS) - Water Resources Minister Md. Shahiduddin 
Chowdhury Anee, MP, today said canal excavation would bring a radical change 
in the livelihoods of people here.

He made the remarks while speaking as the chief guest at a discussion meeting 
after visiting Choukkar canal at Chapila Para under Sreepur Municipality in 
Gazipur. State Minister for Water Resources Forhad Hossain Azad, MP, was 
present on the occasion.

The minister said the canal excavation programme is a revolution, which was 
initiated by Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman and now canal excavation is one 
of the election pledges of the present government. 

Through several inter-ministerial meetings, a 180-day programme has already 
been undertaken and visible activities of canal excavation have begun, he 
added.

Anee said the present government is people-friendly and started working for 
public welfare from the day it assumed office. 

"The government is giving importance to canal excavation to ensure irrigation 
for agriculture, increase fish production, enhance water flow and remove 
waterlogging," he said, adding that alongside excavation across the country 
including Gazipur, beautification through plantation on both sides of canals 
will also be carried out.

Speaking on the occasion, Forhad Hossain Azad said the present government has 
been working for public welfare since assuming office and a target has been 
set to excavate and re-excavate 20,000 kilometres of canals, ponds and water 
bodies across the country over the next five years. 

The government has already waived agricultural loans of Taka 10,000, he said, 
adding, "The Premier will inaugurate distribution of family cards in 15 
upazilas on March 10.

Earlier, the minister visited Choukkar Canal in Sreepur upazila. He was 
received in Sreepur by Gazipur-3 constituency lawmaker Professor Dr SM 
Rafiqul Islam, Deputy Commissioner Md Alam Hossain, Superintendent of Police 
Md Sharif Uddin and Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Barrister Md Sajib Ahmed.

The minister also visited Lobondoh canal at Dokhola under Ward No. 5 of 
Sreepur Municipality and Gacha canal at Tongi.