PM inaugurates Baisha River re-excavation in Sylhet

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has inaugurated the re-excavation programme of the Baisha River at Kashipur Union in Sylhet sadar upazila.

At around1:20 pm, Tarique Rahman inaugurated the programme by cutting soil with a spade amidst the adverse weather conditions.

The Baisha River in Kashipur Union, about seven kilometers away from Sylhet city, is connected to the Surma River.

Addressing the locals present after re-excavating the canal, the prime minister said the Baisha River, this canal here, was dug by Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman in 1977.

“After that, this canal was blocked again. We want to re-excavate this canal now,” he said.

Explaining the rationale for the project, he said, “If we dig this canal, about 80,000 farmers will benefit directly, while 150,000 farmers will benefit indirectly. On both sides of this canal, about 7,000 metric tonnes more crops will be produced.”

He added that more canals would be excavated across Bangladesh to improve irrigation facilities for farmers.

During the visit, the prime minister also planted a tree on the bank of the Baisha River.

Among others, Commerce Minister Khandakar Abdul Muktadir, Water Resources Minister Shahiduddin Chowdhury Anne, State Minister Farhad Hossain Azad and the prime minister’s foreign affairs adviser Humayun Kabir were present.

Earlier, Tarique Rahman offered ziarat at the shrine of Hazrat Shahjalal (R) after arriving in the city on Saturday morning on his first official tour to attend several programmes.