A Correspondent:
Gazipur: Prime Minister and BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman yesterday said the BNP government will start work on the Padma Barrage and Teesta Barrage projects.
“I want to clearly state that this BNP government will begin work on the Padma Barrage and, InShaAl-lah, also on the Teesta Barrage. Under the leadership of today’s Disaster Management and Relief Minis-ter, BNP carried out various programmes regarding the Teesta issue. Therefore, if anyone has worked, delivered, and prepared the ground, it is the BNP,” he said.
The Prime Minister made the remarks while addressing a civic gathering after laying the foundation stone of the National Disaster Management Research and Training Institute building here yesterday af-ternoon.
Stating that the government has already decided to construct the Padma Barrage in the country’s north-ern and southern regions, especially on the Padma River in Rajshahi, he said, “Over the border, barrages are being built and water is being diverted in different ways, while we receive less water during the dry season.”
“We want to construct this barrage so that people and farmers in our country can get water on time dur-ing both monsoon and dry seasons,” he added.
Tarique Rahman warned about another issue caused by the Farakka Barrage, saying: “Another serious issue is that sea water is entering the southern region because of the Farakka Barrage. As a result, salinity is increasing in areas, including the Sundarbans. Many plants are being damaged, while various animals are becoming extinct”.
“Therefore, we must construct the barrage and preserve excess monsoon water for use during the dry season,” the premier added.
“Our farmers are drawing water through deep tube wells to produce crops for 20 crore people. As a result, it is slowly becoming empty from below. Naturally, when the bottom becomes empty, it will col-lapse from above,” the premier added.
Highlighting the BNP’s electoral pledge of excavating canals, he said, “Alhamdulillah, after forming the government, we have already started the canal excavation program.
Disaster Management and Relief Minister Asadul Habib Dulu, State Minister M. Iqbal Hossain and Di-rector General of the Department of Disaster Management Razwanur Rahman spoke at the event.
A documentary produced by the Department of Disaster Management was screened at the beginning of the event, and a commemorative crest was presented to the Prime Minister.
Prime Minister’s Defence Adviser Brigadier General (Retd) Dr AKM Shamsul Islam, lawmakers and senior government officials were present at the event.
