B Mirror Report:Prime Minister and BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman today announced that a BNP government will begin work on both the Padma Barrage and the long-discussed Teesta Barrage projects, aiming to improve water management and support agriculture across the country.
He made the remarks while addressing a civic gathering after laying the foundation stone of the National Disaster Management Research and Training Institute building in Gazipur this afternoon.
The Prime Minister said the government has already decided to construct the Padma Barrage in the northern and southern regions, particularly on the Padma River in Rajshahi. He added that Bangladesh receives reduced water flow during the dry season due to upstream diversion and barrage construction by neighboring countries.
“We want to ensure timely water supply for farmers during both monsoon and dry seasons through these projects,” he said.
Referring to the Teesta issue, Tarique Rahman said previous BNP initiatives had already laid the groundwork for addressing the problem. He expressed confidence that a future BNP government would move forward with the project.
He also raised concerns over environmental impacts linked to the Farakka Barrage, saying increased salinity is affecting the southern region, including the Sundarbans, damaging plants and threatening wildlife.
Highlighting climate change, he noted that seasonal temperature patterns have shifted, with winters becoming less intense than in previous decades. He also pointed to rapid urbanization and deforestation in different parts of the country.
The Prime Minister mentioned that large-scale tree loss has occurred in Cox’s Bazar due to settlement expansion and development activities, including Rohingya shelters. He also referred to a proposed road project in the same region and said he had instructed authorities to avoid cutting trees during construction.
He further highlighted severe groundwater depletion in Dhaka, saying water levels have dropped significantly over the years due to excessive extraction for agriculture and urban use.
Tarique Rahman emphasized canal excavation as part of the BNP’s development agenda, saying it is linked to agriculture, water management, and disaster risk reduction.
He said Bangladesh cannot prevent natural disasters but can improve preparedness through research, awareness, and training. The newly established institute, he added, will play a key role in strengthening disaster response capacity.
Disaster Management and Relief Minister Asadul Habib Dulu, State Minister M. Iqbal Hossain, and senior officials of the Department of Disaster Management also attended the event.
