Prime Minister Launches Dinajpur Canal Project

On Monday, the Prime Minister inaugurated the canal excavation programme at Sahapara in Kaharol Upazila, Dinajpur. The ceremony began with the Prime Minister wielding a spade to symbolically break the ground, marking the official commencement of the project. Following the inauguration, she planted a tree along the canal’s bank, underscoring the environmental dimension of the initiative.

This event heralds the nationwide implementation of the government’s “River, Canal, and Reservoir Excavation and Rehabilitation” programme. According to the government’s election pledge, over the next five years, approximately 20,000 kilometres of rivers, canals, and reservoirs across the country will be excavated and rehabilitated. The first phase of the programme is set to cover 53 districts, targeting regions most affected by waterlogging and inadequate irrigation.

Government officials highlighted that the initiative is expected to yield multiple benefits, including reducing waterlogging, improving irrigation systems, boosting agricultural productivity, and conserving water reservoirs. By revitalising the country’s waterways, the project aims to strengthen rural livelihoods and support sustainable farming practices.

The Prime Minister launched the programme in the footsteps of her father, former President Ziaur Rahman, who had previously initiated similar nationwide canal excavation projects. Those earlier efforts played a critical role in enhancing the rural economy, improving agricultural yields, and upgrading irrigation infrastructure. The current programme is widely seen as a continuation and expansion of that legacy.

The inauguration ceremony was attended by senior government officials and ministers, including:

BNP Secretary-General and Minister of Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir

Minister for Social Welfare A Z M Jahid Hossain

Minister of Water Resources Md. Shahid Uddin Chowdhury Annie

Minister for Disaster Management and Relief Asadul Habib

State Minister for Water Resources Farhad Hossain Azad

Earlier on Monday, the Prime Minister flew from Dhaka to Saidpur Airport. From there, she travelled by road to the event site in Kaharol Upazila, where she officially launched the canal excavation programme.

The table below summarises the key details of the project:

The initiative reflects a strategic effort to modernise the nation’s water management infrastructure and ensure long-term agricultural and environmental sustainability. By addressing persistent flooding and irrigation challenges, the government aims to foster resilient rural communities and strengthen the agricultural backbone of the country.