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He made the remarks while inaugurating riverbank protection work on the right bank of the Surma River at Kanisail in Sylhet Sadar upazila.
The work is being carried out under the Bangladesh Water Development Board’s (BWDB) “Development of Surma-Kushiyara River Basin and Flood and Integrated Water Management Project (Phase-I).”
Muktadir said riverbank protection would be implemented in phases at several erosion-prone points along the Surma.
The planned works include 300 metres at Mirer Chowk, 400 metres at Mehendibagh, 550 metres at Kanisail, 500 metres at Toker Bazar and 500 metres at Mirergaon.
He said re-excavation and raising works along the Kushiyara and Basia rivers, as well as riverbank protection along the Sari and Arsharik rivers, would also be carried out in phases.
Emphasising quality and transparency in development projects, the minister called for greater participation by local people in monitoring the work.
He proposed forming monitoring committees comprising mosque imams, school head teachers, retired engineers and prominent citizens to oversee project progress and quality.
He also urged all stakeholders to help prevent irregularities and corruption in development works.
Muktadir said a major project had been undertaken to address flooding and waterlogging in Sylhet. Under the plan, embankments and roads stretching about 17 kilometres along both banks of the Surma River would be constructed.
The project would help control flooding while creating walking facilities for city residents and opening up opportunities for river-based tourism, he said.
He stressed the need for coordinated efforts involving the government, Sylhet City Corporation, BWDB, local representatives, political leaders and residents to ensure sustainable development in the region.
Sylhet Deputy Commissioner Abdullah Al Mamun chaired the programme.
Sylhet City Corporation Administrator Abdul Qayyum Chowdhury, BWDB Additional Chief Engineer Prabir Kumar Goswami, Sylhet Metropolitan BNP President Nasim Hossain, General Secretary Emdad Hossain Chowdhury, BNP District Joint General Secretary Siddiqur Rahman Paplus, local residents and media representatives attended the event.
