News Flash
RANGPUR, Oct 3, 2025 (BSS) - Organizing Secretary (Rangpur division) of the
BNP central executive committee Principal Asadul Habib Dulu has said the
Teesta Master Plan (TMP) work should be inaugurated during the tenure of the
interim government.
"We want the work of implementing the TMP to start in November next with the
money from the state's own treasury before the election schedule is
announced. Those who will come to the elected government later will maintain
the continuity of this work," he said.
Dulu, also a former deputy minister and Chief Coordinator of the Teesta River
Protection Movement said this at a press conference held at the Rangpur
Chamber auditorium to announce a the-day programme demanding the TMP
implementation.
He said the autocratic Hasina regime drowned the dream of TMP by bringing the
boat to the banks of the Teesta with promises.
"We, the people living alongside the Teesta riverbank, do not want to be
disappointed anymore," he said.
Dulu said that the first phase of the implementation of the Teesta Master
Plan will start in January 2026, according to the interim government's water
resources adviser.
"The first phase (5 years) of the Taka 12,000 crore 10-year TMP project will
cost Taka 9,150 crore. Of this, a loan of Taka 6,700 crore has been sought
from China. The remaining Taka 2,415 crore will be given from the government
treasury," he said.
A financial agreement has not yet been reached with China. China is working
with the Economic Relations Division (ERD) of the Ministry of Finance on this
issue. A technology and loan agreement with China may be concluded by the end
of this year.
He said, "It is urgent to ensure allocation of funds for the TMP in the next
ECNEC meeting. The work should be inaugurated during the tenure of the
interim government. If not, the demands will be realized through a tough
movement."
Dulu said the TMP is the demand of 20 million people of the Teesta basin who
are suffering from discrimination.
"Under this demand, a 48-hour sit-in programme was held on both banks of the
Teesta on February 17 and 18 last under the banner of the Teesta River
Protection Committee under the slogan 'Jago Bahe Teesta Bachai'" he said.
Tens of thousands of people participated in the programme at each of the 11
points in the five districts of the Teesta basin.
"At the conclusion of the event, BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman joined
virtually from London to express solidarity with the demands of a million
people demanding the speedy implementation of the TMP and the Teesta Water
Agreement," he said.
In view of the movement that aroused the response of the people of the
region, the interim government took sincere initiatives to implement the
Teesta Master Plan.
Under the direction of chief adviser Professor Dr Muhammad Yunus, a MoU with
Power China was renewed.
"With the sincere efforts of the chief adviser and the adviser to the
Ministry of Water Resources, the TMP public hearing meeting was held on
February 6 at the Kawnia Railway Bridge point on the Teesta River, creating
hope among local people," he said.
As promised by the adviser, the exchanges of views with Power China in five
districts and meetings with high-level representatives of China have already
been completed.
"We have also given well-considered opinions with other stakeholders at every
stage," Dulu said.
He said the national election is in February 2026. Now people want to see the
start of the implementation of the TMP. This is the demand of the lives of
two crore people.
Announcing the three-day programme to achieve this demand, Dulu said the
Teesta River Protection Movement will hold a march, memorandum submission,
mass procession, mass meeting and torch lighting programme on October 5, 9
and 16 next.
Rangpur Metropolitan BNP convener Shamsuzzaman Samu, District BNP convener Md
Saiful Islam, member-secretary Anisur Rahman Laku and leaders and activists
of BNP and its affiliated organizations were present at the press conference.
