Teesta project: A ray of hope for northern region

The much-talked-about Teesta River Comprehensive Management and Restoration Project – undertaken by the Bangladesh government with support from China – has created enthusiasm, hope and aspiration among the people of the northern region.

Once implemented, the mega project known as TRCMRP will be able to bring about an epoch-making change in the life of the people of the most poverty-stricken north-western districts of the country, said Bangladesh Water Development Board officials.

Originating from the Himalayas near Chunthang Sikkim, the 234-year-old Teesta River flows through South West Bengal before entering Bangladesh. The river is 315 kilometres in length, of which 113 kilometres flow through Bangladesh.

It flows through the five districts – Rangpur, Gaibandha, Nilphamari, Lalmonirhat and Kurigram districts of the northern region. The region is one of the most vulnerable areas in the country. The trans-boundary Teesta River causes untold miseries to the people years after years.

The river goes dry during the lean season due to unilateral withdrawal of its water upstream in India, while it causes floods during the monsoon as the Indian authorities open their barrage gates resulting in huge damage every year to lives and livelihoods.

During the months of December and May, the water level of the river drastically decreases creating difficulties for the farmers.

Leaders of different socio-cultural organisations working on rivers opined that the Teesta project is much needed to improve the socio-economic condition of the vulnerable people of the river basin areas and to save the loss of biodiversity in the region.

Director of Riverine People, a river protection organisation, Tuhin Wadud, who was also a dean at the Humanities faculty of Begum Rokeya University, Rangpur (BRUR) said the river has not yet been dressed in the Bangladesh side since its inception 234 years back.

During the monsoon, it turns violent by engulfing houses, croplands, and structures on both the banks, and creates a climate crisis by destroying the environment in the north.  

Scientific dredging, the reservoir of water, protection guide, and embankment on both the banks of the river are essential to halt the ferocity of the river.  Teesta River Management Mega project undertaken by the government will help to save the thousands of peoples’ livelihood and environment in the river basin areas.

“We demanded the government to begin the project works in the birth centenary of the father of the Nation, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman,” he also said.

Teesta Banchao Nodi Banchao Sangram Parishad announced that a Long March programme will be held on 15 November, demanding six charter points including proper water sharing of the river, protect river from erosion, flood control management and prevent the loss of biodiversity by implementing the mega project scientifically soon.

President of Teesta Banchao Nodi Banchao Sangram Parishad Nazrul Islam Haqqani said, “The implementation of the mega project is a must to eliminate the people’s suffering.”

A joint Engineers team of Bangladesh and China has visited the Dalia barrage point and different spots of the river and conducted the feasibility study of the project, he added.

“The Mega project has got vibrant economic potentiality which would create huge employment opportunities for thousands of vulnerable people in the districts, developing eco-tourism, satellite townships and infrastructural development,” he also added.

General Secretary of the Save the Teesta, Save the River Committee Shafiur Rhaman said, “We heard that urban complexes and smart cities will be developed on both the banks of the river according to the master plan of the mega project, which would create wonderful ecotourism sites and huge job generation boosting the economic growth in the region.”

Chief Engineer, Bangladesh Water Development Board, Northern Zone, Joti Prosad said the Bangladesh Water Development will implement the Mega project.  Feasibility study of the project had been completed and waiting for the final approval.

A preliminary development project proposal had already been prepared on the basis of the feasibility study.  The implementation of the project depends upon International funding. 

The government targeted to reclaim 170.87 square kilometres of land from the Teesta by dredging its main channel. It also plans to build dams on a need-based approach.

According to the feasibility study, a number of infrastructural development works including an economic zone, satellite townships, power plants, and agriculture expansion works will be developed on the reclaimed lands.

“Garment factories, textile mills, fertiliser factories, agricultural products processing plants, feed factories, and a warehouse will be set up in the economic zone,” he noted.

Federation of Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce & Industries Vice President and former president of Rangpur Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI), Mostafa Azad Chowdhury Babu said the project is next to Padma Bridge and Metro rail Mega projects in the country.

The success of this venture is expected to generate significant financial and social gain. The special economic zone of the project will create FDI flow and prospecting investors will come forward to set up industries that would boost up trade and commerce creating huge job opportunities.

It would not only bring development in the region but also for the entire country, he hoped.