PM’s canal initiative praised by opposition leader
Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman on Monday welcomed the canal excavation initiative launched by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, describing it as a positive step for the country’s waterways.
In a post on his verified Facebook account, he highlighted Bangladesh’s historic identity as a riverine nation, where rivers once played a crucial role in transportation, trade, and agriculture.
He noted that rivers not only facilitated navigation and the movement of goods but also supported farming, preserved soil fertility, and provided rich fish resources.
Proper water flow during the rainy season also helped prevent frequent flooding and related hardships, he added.
Dr Shafiqur Rahman observed that, since independence, the combined impact of the Farakka Barrage and the filling of major rivers, canals, and beels has severely disrupted the country’s water systems.
“As a result, rivers that once flowed strongly now fail to hold sufficient water during the monsoon, leading to premature flooding, while many rivers resemble dry beds in the dry season,” he said.
He further noted that interruptions in natural water flow cause waterlogging in major towns and cities during the monsoon, while the lack of water in the dry season hinders navigation and agricultural activities.
The Jamaat-e-Islami chief stressed that restoring navigability through adequate dredging of major rivers should be a top national priority.
He noted that previous allocations for river dredging and management had often failed to deliver results due to widespread corruption.
“There is no alternative to transparency in all sectors,” he said, urging the government to ensure proper and accountable use of public funds.
Dr Shafiqur Rahman also pointed out that canal excavation alone would not produce the desired benefits unless rivers regain their vitality and navigability. “Only then will people fully benefit from canal excavation,” he added.
Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman inaugurated the nationwide canal excavation and re-excavation programme by cutting soil with a spade at Sahapara Canal in Kaharol Upazila, Dinajpur.
The programme was officially launched at around 12:27 pm at Balrampur Village, under Ramchandrapur Union of Kaharol Upazila.
