Impact of rural economy on river canal re-excavation project.

Staff Reporter: The government wants to ensure year-round irrigation facilities by increasing water holding capacity in small river canals and reservoir re-excavation projects within 64 districts.

The Ministry of Water Resources has approved the implementation of the first revised RDPP for the period from November 2018 to December 2021 at an estimated cost of Tk 2,271.13 crore. 

At present the second amendment of the project has been proposed by increasing 668 works under the project. 

According to the proposed amendment, the total estimated cost of the project is Tk 2,269.74 crore. 

9 crore 80 lakh less than the original approved project cost.

Under this project, about 16 tenders were invited for various small river canals and reservoirs in Brahmanbaria. 

Among them Sului Khal, Nurai Khali Khal, Sinakhali Khal, Dulbhanga Khal, Khagalia Khal, lohor River, Atla Bazar Khal, Basudev Khal Re-excavation work has been completed. 

The rest of the work is in progress.

The objective of the project is to ensure year round irrigation facilities by increasing the water holding capacity of small river canals and reservoirs. 

Agricultural production will be increased by providing irrigation facilities in about 150,000 hectares of land. 

In addition, the risk of flood and waterlogging will be reduced by increasing the drainage capacity of approximately 6 lakh hectares of small river canals and reservoirs to conserve biodiversity.

Revitalization of small river canals and reservoirs through re-excavation will increase the navigability and ensure easy communication of about 2000 km of navigation. 

Development of fish farming by increasing and prolonging the water holding capacity of small river canals and reservoirs Land will be developed on both banks of small river canals and reservoirs by afforestation and excavated soil on both banks of small river canals and reservoirs.

The proposed amendment to the project states that Bangladesh is a riverine country. 

Numerous rivers are flowing in this country. 

The area of ​​this country is about 1 lakh 47 thousand 570 square kilometers. 

Through which there are rivers, canals, beels, lakes and haors and open water bodies covering about 9,734 sq km. 

All these canals, rivers and reservoirs hold potable water. 

The water of this reservoir is used for agricultural purposes.

The need for water to protect biodiversity is immense. 

About 80% of the total land area of ​​the country is floodplain which is inundated during monsoon. 

Due to the climatic and seasonal variability of Bangladesh, floods occur almost every year during the monsoon season and most of the lands of the country are inundated and waterlogging occurs in many areas including erosion of large and medium river banks. 

As a result, huge amount of agricultural land, crops, houses etc. are under threat.