Kamrul Hasan: Afroza Khanam Rita, Bangladesh’s Minister of Civil Aviation and Tourism, has said that re-excavating canals can significantly improve agricultural production and transform people’s livelihoods.

She made the remarks on Monday (March 16) while speaking as the chief guest at the inauguration ceremony of the Taluk–Hapania canal re-excavation project. The canal stretches for nearly one kilometer from Taluknagar Bridge to Hapania Bridge in Daulatpur Upazila of Manikganj District.

The minister said many canals have become silted up over time, causing waterlogging in several areas, while during the dry season farmers struggle to obtain the water needed for irrigation.
“Re-excavation of canals will play a vital role not only in increasing agricultural production but also in improving people’s livelihoods,” she said.

Afroza Khanam Rita noted that those directly involved in farming understand best why canal excavation is so important.
“In many places canals have been blocked, creating severe waterlogging that even disrupts roads and communication. At the same time, when water is most needed in the dry season, it is not available,” she added.

She further said the government has undertaken initiatives to excavate canals in different parts of the country with the aim of improving agriculture and transforming people’s lives. According to the party’s election manifesto, there is a plan to excavate around 20,000 kilometers of canals nationwide within five years.
“If this programme is successfully implemented, it will bring significant changes to the lives of people and the national economy,” she expressed with optimism.

At the ceremony, the minister said, “Today we have symbolically started the work with a shovel, but our responsibility does not end here. We are inaugurating the project, but the remaining work must be completed with your cooperation.”
She also recalled that former President Ziaur Rahman had once initiated canal excavation programmes in various parts of the country. Following that legacy, current Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has undertaken a nationwide canal excavation initiative.

The minister also informed that the Prime Minister would inaugurate another canal excavation programme in Dinajpur District on the same day. She expressed hope that the Prime Minister would also inaugurate the re-excavation of the Kasadah canal in Shibalaya Upazila of Manikganj.

She said the Prime Minister has directed leaders and officials to work for public development and remain close to the people. Duties must be carried out with honesty and integrity, and corruption must not be tolerated under any circumstances.

“The common people must not be subjected to any hardship. The country has reached its present stage through immense sacrifice and struggle. The Prime Minister is working day and night for the welfare of the people, and it is everyone’s responsibility to stand beside them,” she added.

Among others present at the event were Member of Parliament from Manikganj-1 constituency S. A. Jinnah Kabir, Deputy Commissioner Nazmun Ara Sultana, Superintendent of Police Sarwar Alam, Executive Engineer of the Water Development Board Md. Akhtaruzzaman, Daulatpur Upazila Nirbahi Officer Nahian Nureen, and several leaders of the BNP and its affiliated organisations, along with local dignitaries and a large number of residents.