Home ›› 14 Aug 2021 ›› Front
The government is planning a project to protect Payra and Bishkhali rivers’ banks, which will eventually help boost agriculture production in Barguna.
Erosion is affecting various establishments in Betagi and Barguna Sadar upazilas. Educational institutions, hospitals, houses and various government establishments face the risk of river erosion, particularly in the monsoon.
“The project aims to increase agricultural production through sustainable water management in the area,” a senior official of the Planning Commission told The Business Post.
He added that it aims to control the flood situation and prevent saline water from entering the areas.
The project is titled ‘Sustainable Water Management System of Polder 41/6A, 41/6B and 41/7A and Protect Betagi town, Phuljhuri Launch Terminal and Jangaliya Bazar from the Erosion of Payra and Bishkhali Rivers’.
The project’s cost is estimated at Tk 828.07 crore, which will come from the government exchequer.
Bangladesh Water development Board will implement the project from July 2021 to June 2025.
“We have held a project evaluation committee (PEC) meeting and decided to complete the works within three years,” Ramendra Nath Biswas, member of the Agriculture, Water Resources and Rural Institutions Division under the Planning Commission, said.
They will now forward the proposal to the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) for approval. The project is included under the unapproved new projects in the Revised Annual Development Programme, he added.
The PEC made some recommendations to the water resources ministry to add to the project proposals. The suggestions include conducting a feasibility study through a third party and mentioning the Flood Return Period and the maximum and minimum water level in the last 10 years. The project’s main activities are 7.885 kilometres of river protection, repair/reshape of 42.520km embankment, 22,500km canal dredging and construction and renovation of 20 regulators of the rivers.
