Government Plans Another Teesta Barrage

The government plans to construct another barrage on the Teesta River to store water during the dry season. Technical and financial aspects of the project are being reviewed at various stages, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman said.

He made the remarks in response to a question from NCP MP Akhtar Hossain of Rangpur-4 in the national parliament on Wednesday. The session, chaired by Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed, included the question-and-answer session placed on the table.

The prime minister said a feasibility study has already been completed to implement a sustainable and integrated development plan for the Teesta River. The study report proposes a range of development works under the Teesta master plan, including protection of 110 kilometers of riverbank, dredging of 110 kilometers of river, construction of 224 kilometers of flood control embankments and roads on embankments, construction and repair of 67 groynes or spur dikes, and land reclamation over 170 square kilometers.

In response to a question from BNP MP Mostafizur Rahman Babul of Jamalpur-3, the prime minister said the government is implementing the Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI) with top priority to control the outbreak of measles in the country. He said spread of measles, vaccination activities, and related policy issues are being regularly reviewed.

He further said that vaccine procurement, storage, and distribution are conducted in accordance with international standards and government regulations. Whether changes in the vaccine procurement process have had any negative impact will be assessed based on data and technical evaluation. Legal action will be taken if any individual or institution is found negligent.

The head of government added that initiatives have been taken to ensure continuity in vaccine supply, strengthen stock management, expand disease surveillance, ensure rapid outbreak detection, raise public awareness, and enhance coordination with national and international stakeholders. Special ongoing campaigns are also underway to expand measles vaccination coverage.

In response to a question from BNP MP Manjurul Islam of Dinajpur-1, the prime minister said the government will ensure universal healthcare under its ‘Health for All’ policy.

He also said that the government has taken an initiative to transform Pabna Mental Hospital into a full-fledged international-standard mental health institute.

In response to a question from BNP MP Mobasher Alam Bhuiyan of Cumilla-10, the prime minister said the government has undertaken extensive plans to develop the country’s road and rail communication systems. He said expressway grids will be gradually established on national highways, multimodal transport systems will be introduced, and road safety will be strengthened through smart monitoring to control overloading.

He said steps have been taken to connect the under-construction Dhaka-Ashulia Elevated Expressway with the Dhaka Elevated Expressway. He also said a feasibility study is underway to explore a possible link with the Dhaka-Mawa Expressway.

On railway modernization, the Prime Minister said the government has decided to introduce electric traction on major routes to reduce travel time and ensure environmentally friendly transportation. He added that rail services will be gradually expanded to all districts and major cities, along with plans to significantly increase the number of intercity and commuter trains.

In response to a question from BNP MP Nurul Islam Nayan of Bhola-4, the prime minister said the government is working to explore new labor markets, develop skilled human resources, and address migration-related challenges, with a focus on economic and labor diplomacy.

In response to a question from BNP MP Md. Abdullah of Munshiganj-1, he said the government aims to raise the tax-to-GDP ratio to 10 percent within the next five years. He added that various initiatives are being implemented to increase the ratio to 15 percent by 2035.

In response to a question from MP Shamsur Rahman Shimul Biswas of Pabna-5, the prime minister said about 65 to 70 percent of water supplied by Dhaka WASA comes from groundwater sources, while the rest is collected from surface sources, including the Padma, Meghna, and Shitalakshya rivers.

He further said that large-scale water treatment plants and alternative reservoirs are being developed in Khulna and Barishal due to salinity in river water. The government is working to ensure the use of surface water instead of groundwater in divisional cities by 2030.

In response to a question from Jamaat MP Salah Uddin of Gazipur-4, the prime minister said the government plans to further reduce Hajj costs in the future. He said efforts will continue through state-level and diplomatic initiatives to bring down expenses.

He said Hajj costs were reduced by Tk 11,075 in 2026 and that the government will attempt to keep package prices at a more reasonable level in 2027.

In response to a question from Jamaat MP Masum Mostafa of Netrokona-5, the Prime Minister said that there are a total of 17,870 approved posts across upazila-level health service centers and union-level health and family welfare centers. Of these, 11,501 posts are currently filled, while 6,369 remain vacant.