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The government will re-excavate 81.5 km of five rivers to address the longstanding waterlogging situation in Bhobdaha region of Jashore and Khulna, including mitigating the sufferings of people in floods every year.
Bhobdaha region is a lowland area with a number of water bodies in Jashore and Khulna. Flooding every year causes huge losses in agriculture and suffering for people every year, after a number of government initiatives failed to improve the situation.
A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB) and the Bangladesh Army’s 24 Engineer Construction Brigade on Monday to this end, according to the environment ministry.
The signing ceremony was held today at the BWDB headquarters in the city.
On behalf of BWDB, the MoU was signed by B.M. Abdul Momin, Superintending Engineer of Jashore Water Development Circle, Khulna, and Project Director. On behalf of the Bangladesh Army, it was signed by Lt. Col. Mamun Ur Rashid, Project Director, 24 Engineer Construction Brigade.
Under the project, a total of 81.5 kilometers of five rivers will be re-excavated, including the Harihar River (35 km), Hari-Teligati River (20 km), Upper Bhadra River (18.5 km), Teka River (7 km), and Shree River (1 km).
The estimated cost of the project is about Tk 1.4 billion. In line with government directives, the Bangladesh Army will implement the project through the “Delegated Procurement” method.
Alongside dredging, the project will improve drainage systems, properly manage excavated soil for use as local roads, and ensure environmentally friendly re-excavation through turfing and tree plantation.
Speaking on the occasion, BWDB Director General Engineer Md. Enayet Ullah said that the present interim government has taken special initiatives to resolve the waterlogging in Bhobdaha.
He added that BWDB and the Bangladesh Army will jointly implement, supervise, and monitor the project, which is expected to bring significant relief to the region once completed.