Tk 39.92b water resource management projects underway in Rajshahi

Various water resource management activities are being implemented in the region involving around Tk 39.92 billion at present.

Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB) has been executing the development activities under seven projects in different districts under Rajshahi division aimed at improving socio-economic condition of the public in general through water resource management.

Muhammad Ali, chief engineer of BWDB, told BSS that a total of 217-kilometre Rivers will either be brought under dredging or re-excavation in the ‘Bangalee-Korotoa-Fulzore-Hurasagar river system’ in Bogura, Gaibandha and Sirajganj districts.

Besides, 19.57-kilometre river embankment protection works in different areas of Bogura district will be executed while other 15.60-kilometre bank areas of Korotoa and Fuljhore rivers in Sirajganj districts will be protected.

Upon successful implementation of the Tk 23.35 billion project, the river system will be revitalised side by side with bringing back the navigability in the river by June, 2022, Engineer Ali added.

Another Taka 4.65 billion project is being implemented to protect the Khudbandi, Shingabari and Subhagachha areas in Kazipur upazila of Sirajganj district from erosion of the Jamuna river by June, 2020.

There are various physical infrastructure development works including 18-kilometre dredging, 40-kilometre flood control embankment restoration and four-kilometre river bank protection in the project.

Around 4.68-square kilometre reclaimed land from Jamuna river through dredging is being elevated in Sirajganj district to protect the proposed economic zone. As part of the Tk 5.09 billion project, protection works of 3.20-kilometre river bank are progressing fast.

A Tk 1.59 billion mega project has been adopted for constructing a rubber dam across Mohananda River in Chapainawabganj district for bringing back its navigability.

In addition to the construction of the dam, 36.05-kilometre river area will be brought under capital dredging. More than 7,500 hectares of land could be brought under irrigation upon successful implementation of the project titled “Rubber Dam Construction and River Dredging in Mohananda”. The project is intended to improve water flow and navigability besides ensuring goods transportation in the river way.

It will also help to upgrade water level through aquifer recharge in addition to enhance irrigation facilities to croplands and to promote the fish pass and fish farming.

Engineer Ali said implementation of another project titled “Flood Control, Water Sewerage and Irrigation in Joboy Beel” under Shapahar and Porsha upazilas of Naogaon district has been started.

There are provisions of implementing multidimensional works like 7.93 hectares of land acquisition, construction of a 14-vent regulator and 10 inlets, restoration of 14-kilometre embankment, re-excavation of 14-kilometre canal and protection of 0.8-kilomter approach road slope in the Tk 419 million project.

Initiatives have been taken to protect the areas of Shingra Municipality under Natore district from erosion by Atrai and Nagar Rivers.

There are provisions of protecting 1.708-kilometre river embankment and re-excavating 96-kilometre River under Taka 41.99-crore project.