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State Minister for Water Resources Farhad Hossain Azad has said work on the pilot project under the Teesta Master Plan will begin within a few days.
“The technical committee has already started working to implement the Teesta Master Plan. We are also seeking advice from experts from different countries,” he said.
The state minister made the remarks while speaking to journalists at Chilmari Port on Saturday afternoon after inspecting river erosion-hit areas in Chilmari, Ulipur, Roumari and Rajibpur upazilas of Kurigram.
“Teesta is a major project, and it is not possible to implement such a project overnight. Our government is only five months old. Give us some time. We will start work on the Teesta Master Plan as a pilot project within a short time,” he said.
Regarding river erosion in Kurigram, Azad said he had inspected the situation in Chilmari Port and other affected areas of the district.
He said two projects have been undertaken to build permanent embankments and prevent river erosion in Kurigram. The government is reviewing the progress of the projects and taking steps to implement them quickly, he added.
“We do not want anyone’s home, market, mosque, temple or educational institution to be washed away by river erosion. The government has taken necessary measures to prevent this,” he said.
The state minister said field-level inspections were being carried out in coordination with local lawmakers and the administration in line with the prime minister’s directives to accelerate implementation of the projects.
He also said no political consideration would be made in taking measures against river erosion.
“The government stands beside people affected by river erosion. Emergency work is already under way at around 100 erosion-prone locations in Kurigram. We will instruct the authorities to take necessary measures wherever further work is required,” he said.
Among others, Kurigram-4 MP Mostafizar Rahman, Kurigram-3 MP Barrister Mahbub Salehi, reserved women’s seat MP Suraiya Zerin Rony, Water Development Board Director General Md Ruhul Amin, Kurigram Deputy Commissioner Annapurna Debnath, Kurigram Water Development Board Executive Engineer Rakibul Hasan, district BNP convener Mostafizar Rahman, member secretary and Kurigram District Council administrator Sohel Hossain Kaykobad, joint conveners Hasibur Rahman Hasib and Shafiqul Islam Bebu, and BNP leader Saiyed Ahmed Babu were present.