Water Resources Minister
Teesta Mega Project to Begin Soon
Water Resources Minister Shahid Uddin Chowdhury Anee speaks at the event. Photo: Agamir Shomoy.
The long-anticipated Teesta mega project for people living along the Teesta River will begin soon, Water Resources Minister Shahid Uddin Chowdhury Anee has said.
He made the remarks on Friday afternoon at an exchange meeting with people affected by river erosion at the Kaunia Point near Teesta Bridge in Rangpur.
Disaster Management and Relief Minister Asadul Habib Dulu and State Minister for Water Resources Farhad Hossain Azad were also present at the event.
The minister expressed optimism that the government is working sincerely to resolve long-standing problems in the Teesta basin. He said that, in line with the election manifesto, the Teesta mega project will be implemented to reduce river erosion during the monsoon, control floods, and ensure water storage during the dry season. He added that the stored water will be used for agriculture and fisheries, contributing significantly to improving living standards in the region.
He also said that technical studies are currently underway on dredging, water storage, and various aspects of river management on the Teesta. A nine-member high-level committee has already been formed on the directive of the Prime Minister, and its members are reviewing the technical and implementation aspects of the project.
Disaster Management and Relief Minister Asadul Habib Dulu said that the government has taken steps to implement a realistic and well-planned Teesta mega project to address long-standing suffering and ensure a sustainable solution to river-related problems in the Teesta basin.
He added that officials have been instructed to conduct on-site inspections and evaluations of different aspects of the project.
State Minister Farhad Hossain Azad said that technical and practical reviews of the project are ongoing with river and water management experts from different countries. He added that each aspect of the project is being carefully assessed to formulate a sustainable and effective plan.
He expressed hope that the Teesta mega project will be submitted for approval at a meeting of the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) within this year and said he expects it will be approved.
Officials present at the meeting included Water Resources Ministry Secretary Dr. AKM Shahabuddin, Bangladesh Water Development Board Director General Engineer Enayet Ullah, Rangpur Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Ruhul Amin, Rangpur Development Authority Chairman Samujjaman Samu, Lalmonirhat Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Rashedul Haque Prodhan, and Superintendent of Police Asaduzzaman, among others.
