Project aimed at ensuring faster recession of floodwaters
ANISUR RAHMAN KHAN, Dhaka: In its effort to reduce damages and sufferings of people by ensuring faster recession of floodwaters, the water resources ministry is planning to excavate 500 canals more alongside its ongoing project of digging 448 canals across the country.
The 500 canals will be dug under the second phase of a project, first phase of which is being implemented at a cost of Tk 1,239 crore, State Minister for Water Resources Colonel (Retd) Zahid Farooq said while talking to The Independent on Thursday.
“In the first phase, 448 canals are being dug in 64 districts and 70 per cent of the work has already been completed. There are plans to dig another 500 canals,” he said adding that once the excavation is done, floodwaters will recede fast and there will be less damage during monsoon.
Also, the department concerned is trying to reclaim the canals grabbed by vested quarters, and water board engineers have been working round the clock in this regard, the junior minister said.
At least two billion tonnes of silt enter into Bangladesh from upstream in every monsoon, he said, adding the country’s most of the riverbeds have risen due to the huge accumulation of silt.
The riverbed rise causes flooding in many areas during monsoon and river erosion, Zahid Farooq said in reply to a query.
“As a downstream country, Bangladesh is one of the most vulnerable countries to climate change. Most of the floodwaters flow down to the sea through Bangladesh’s rivers from upstream during rainy season. The situation is aggravating day by day,” he said.
The government has planned to reduce the width of major rivers as per Delta Plan-2100 with a view to tackle river erosion, reduce loss of properties and crops from floodwaters, the state minister said.
“We will develop economic zones, eco-parks and other industrial zones by maintaining rivers as per Delta Plan-2100. No one will be allowed to construct any dwelling infrastructure within two kilometers of riverbanks. Only farmers will be allowed to grow crops on reclaimed lands through dredge spoils,” Zahid Farooq said.
He said width of major rivers will be reduced and likely to be limited into 1-2kms and their banks will be protected from erosion as per the delta plan.
He further said the depth of big rivers will also be increased through dredging and it will help reduce flooding and the sufferings of people as well.
The ministry is trying to fulfill the dreams of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina by implementing the Delta Plan-2100, the junior minister added.
He said the government is also looking for donor countries to implement the water resources ministry’s river management projects.
The Chinese government has expressed its interest to implement the river management projects, Zahid Farooq said in reply to another query. Source: The Independent
