Zero Tolerance on Haor Projects

The government has adopted a firm stance against corruption in the implementation of crop-protection embankment projects in the haor region, the Water Resources Minister has declared during an inspection visit to Sunamganj.

Speaking to journalists on Friday afternoon after touring the Chandrasonar Taal haor in Dharampasha upazila of Sunamganj District, Water Resources Minister Mohammad Shahiduddin Chowdhury Annie emphasised that safeguarding the seasonal boro harvest from flash floods remains a national priority.

Direct Oversight by the Ministry

The minister underlined that the haor crop-protection embankment scheme is one of the most sensitive and significant infrastructure programmes under the Ministry of Water Resources. Given its importance to food security and rural livelihoods, he said the ministry would maintain direct supervision over planning, construction and maintenance.

“In the past, there were numerous allegations of irregularities and corruption in the construction of embankments,” he acknowledged. “We are determined to bring these projects under a strict zero-tolerance framework to ensure transparency and accountability.”

He further stressed that dredging canals and rivers, alongside embankment construction, constitutes a core responsibility of the ministry. These interventions are designed to improve water flow, mitigate flood risks and protect vast tracts of cropland across the haor basin.

“We shall act as vigilant guardians to ensure that no individual can engage in malpractice within these projects,” he added.

Prime Minister’s Directive

The minister stated that his visit followed instructions from Tarique Rahman, who, he said, has been closely monitoring conditions in the haor region and remains attentive to the concerns of local farmers. According to the minister, the government leadership is committed to ensuring that embankments are constructed to proper standards ahead of the monsoon season.

The haor wetlands of north-eastern Bangladesh are particularly vulnerable to sudden upstream water surges from India during pre-monsoon months. Any structural weakness in embankments can result in widespread crop losses, severely affecting farmers’ incomes and regional food production.

Lawmakers and Officials Present

The inspection was attended by several members of parliament representing Sunamganj constituencies, including:

Kamruzzaman Kamrul (Sunamganj-1)

Kaiser Ahmed (Sunamganj-3)

Advocate Nurul Islam (Sunamganj-4)

Kalim Uddin Milon (Sunamganj-5)

Also present was Mamun Howlader, Executive Engineer of the Bangladesh Water Development Board in Sunamganj.

Project Overview

Renewed Focus on Accountability

The haor protection scheme has long been viewed as both vital and vulnerable—vital because it shields thousands of hectares of farmland, and vulnerable due to past allegations of substandard construction and fund mismanagement.

By pledging intensified oversight and personal accountability, the minister sought to reassure farmers that embankments would be built and maintained to the required specifications. As the monsoon season approaches, the effectiveness of these commitments will be closely watched by local communities whose livelihoods depend upon the integrity of the flood-control infrastructure.