Photo : Collected

DHAKA, March 5, 2026 (BSS) - The ‘River-Canal-Waterbody Excavation and Re-excavation’ programme will begin before the holy Eid.

It is expected that the Prime Minister will formally inaugurate programme, according to an inter-ministerial meeting held today at the conference room of the Ministry of Water Resources for implementing the ‘River-Canal-Waterbody Excavation and Re-excavation’ programme. 

The inter-ministerial meeting was held today at the conference room of the Ministry of Water Resources to discuss the implementation of the ‘River-Canal-Waterbody Excavation and Re-excavation’ programme.

The meeting, presided over by Mirza Abbas Uddin Ahmed, Political Adviser to the Prime Minister, focused on the upcoming nationwide initiative.

The central inauguration will take place at the Sahapara Canal in Bairampur, Kaharole Upazila of Dinajpur. 

Concurrently, ministers, advisers, state ministers, and members of parliament will launch excavation activities across 63 districts.

During the discussion, Mirza Abbas Uddin Ahmed recalled how Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman had previously turned canal excavation into a revolution that captured the public's heart. 

He urged all stakeholders to work together to accelerate the momentum of the current programme.

Water Resources Minister Md. Shahid Uddin Chowdhury Annie, MP, pointed out that a prolonged lack of canal excavation has led to waterlogging and a crisis in the national irrigation system, causing significant public distress. 

He emphasized that as an elected government, the current administration is dedicated to public welfare and called for coordinated efforts among relevant ministries to make the excavation programme effective and visible.

State Minister Farhad Hossain Azad, MP, highlighted the public enthusiasm surrounding the initiative.

He noted that, in line with the government's election manifesto, 20,000 kilometers of canals will be excavated over the next five years. 

He specifically called for sincerity from all involved to successfully implement the initial 180-day excavation programme.

The meeting was also attended by State Minister for Local Government, Rural Development and Co-operatives Mir Shahe Alam, MP, and State Minister for Disaster Management and Relief M Iqbal Hossain, MP. 

Other senior officials in attendance included the Senior Secretary of the Ministry of Land A S M Saleh Ahmed, Secretary of the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief Md Saidur Rahman Khan, Local Government Secretary Md. Shahidul Islam and the Director General of the Water Development Board Md. Enayet Ullah.