Ministers visit Teesta Barrage, review water management challenges

A government delegation on Friday visited the Teesta Barrage in Lalmonirhat and emphasised the importance of adopting sustainable and coordinated measures to tackle the challenges facing the Teesta River basin.

The delegation included Disaster Management and Relief Minister Asadul Habib Dulu, Water Resources Minister Md Shahiduddin Chowdhury Anee and State Minister for Water Resources Farhad Hossain Azad.

During the visit, the ministers toured various sections of the Teesta Barrage and nearby areas, assessing infrastructure that is vital for irrigation, agriculture and water distribution across northern Bangladesh.

The visit was intended to evaluate key issues affecting the basin, including riverbank erosion, flood management and future water resource planning.

Following the inspection, the delegation joined a meeting with Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB) officials at the Teesta Abasar conference room. Discussions centered on measures to curb river erosion, strengthen flood-control efforts, maintain river navigability, improve irrigation efficiency and review ongoing development initiatives.

Addressing the meeting, the ministers stressed the need for comprehensive and long-term strategies to ensure effective management of the Teesta River while safeguarding the livelihoods of communities dependent on the basin.

Barrister Hasan Rajib Prodhan, MP, from Lalmonirhat-1 constituency, Rokon Uddin Babul, MP, from Lalmonirhat-2, senior officials from the Ministry of Water Resources and representatives of the district administrations of Lalmonirhat and Nilphamari, among others, were also present at that time.