Teesta Master Plan will prioritise national interest: Anee

The government has undertaken an integrated Master Plan for the Teesta Basin in order to mitigate water shortages during the dry season and excessive flows during the monsoon and to prevent riverbank erosion, sedimentation and agricultural losses. In an exclusive interview with Mohosinul Karim and Walid Khan of The Daily Observer, Water Resources Minister Shaheed Uddin Chowdhury Anee said the Master Plan will involve experts from Bangladesh and abroad. Following is the excerpts of the interview:

*    The Master Plan aims to conserveTeesta water and ensure its proper flow through rivers, canals and other waterways

*    Necessary studies and planning for the Master Plan to complete by the end of 2026 or early 2027

 
Daily Observer: What is the government’s objective on the Teesta Master Plan?
Minister: The Teesta is an extremely dynamic river. People in the northern region have suffered for years because of water shortages during the dry season and excessive flows during the monsoon. Riverbank erosion and sedimentation are also damaging agriculture.

We have therefore undertaken an integrated master plan for the Teesta basin. Ideas and proposals from experts at home and abroad are being reviewed, with specialists from BUET and the Bangladesh Water Development Board involved in the process.

Our main objective is to conserve water and ensure its proper flow through rivers, canals and other waterways. This will improve irrigation, increase fish production and help keep rivers and canals functional.

Whether barrages, rubber dams, large reservoirs or another system would be most effective will be determined through detailed studies. We hope to complete the necessary studies and planning by the end of 2026 or during 2027 and move towards visible implementation.

DO: India and China are interested in the Teesta Master Plan. How will their cooperation be taken?
Minister: India and China are friendly countries. We will seek whatever cooperation is necessary in the national interest. However, Bangladesh and Bangladesh's interests will always come first. In accepting any international cooperation, our national interest will receive the highest priority.

DO: What progress has been made regarding renewal of the Ganges Water Sharing Treaty?
Minister: A joint committee is working on the matter, while technical teams from both countries are engaged in discussions. Our experts are travelling to India, and their experts are visiting Bangladesh. Regular meetings are being held. We hope effective progress towards renewing the agreement will be made within the stipulated timeframe.

DO: What activities are planned under the government's broader river and canal restoration programme?
Minister: We have given priority to canal excavation and re-excavation. Our election manifesto promised the excavation or re-excavation of 20,000 kilometres of canals within five years, and Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has given the programme great importance. However, we are now planning to excavate or re-excavate up to 26,000 kilometres.
The objective is to revitalise the rural economy and create a new agricultural revolution. Restoring water flow in canals will provide irrigation, increase agricultural production and boost fish production, benefiting local markets. We also plan to plant fruit-bearing, medicinal and other trees along canal banks, contributing to environmental balance and climate resilience.

DO: How will canal excavation help reduce pressure on groundwater?
Minister: Bangladesh's groundwater table is gradually declining. By retaining more surface water through canal excavation, we can reduce excessive dependence on groundwater and decrease the use of deep tube wells for irrigation. This will help establish a better balance in water management. Considering the country's overall climate and water-management needs, canal excavation is extremely important.

DO: Will the programme create employment?
Minister: Work that can be done mechanically will be carried out using machinery. However, we have made it mandatory that at least 20 to 30 percent of the work be done manually. This will create employment opportunities at the local level. Historically, many canals were interconnected and used by dinghies and small boats. By restoring these connections, we can also revive rural inland water transport.

DO: Which ministries and agencies will implement the canal programme?
Minister: At least four ministries and divisions will work together: the Ministry of Water Resources and the Bangladesh Water Development Board, the Ministry of Agriculture, the Local Government Division, and the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief.
 
DO: What obstacles are you facing?
Minister: Many canals have been encroached upon because they have not been excavated or re-excavated for years. Trees have been planted on some canal land, while shops, houses and settlements have been built elsewhere. Industrial waste is also dumped into some canals, causing water and environmental pollution.
In some places, influential individuals have blocked canals for fish farming. These issues create obstacles, but we expect them to be gradually resolved as the programme progresses. Where necessary, legal action will be taken.

DO: What is the government doing to address problems in rivers caused by sedimentation and encroachment?
Minister: We have undertaken several mega projects, including riverbank protection, dredging, restoration of river-canal connectivity and implementation of the Padma Barrage project. The first phase of the Padma Barrage has been approved at a cost of nearly Tk 35,000 crore, with a target of making the project visibly operational within seven years. A project director has already been appointed and the tender process is advancing. Previous work on the project will also be reviewed.
We hope the Prime Minister will inaugurate the project in January or February next year.

DO: Why is the Padma Barrage important?
Minister: The Padma Barrage is crucial for 24 districts in the southwestern and northern regions. During the monsoon, large volumes of water enter the rivers, altering flow patterns and causing heavy sedimentation. In the dry season, many areas face water shortages.
The barrage will allow us to conserve water, maintain river-canal connectivity and manage sediment through dredging. This will increase agricultural production and help control riverbank erosion. We estimate that nearly 70 million people in 24 districts will benefit from the project, which could have a major impact on the national economy.

DO: Will navigation and power generation be included?
Minister: Yes. The Padma Barrage will include power generation alongside water conservation. Navigation locks will allow steamers, larger boats, trawlers and other vessels to pass. Fish passages will also be included to facilitate fish migration. Thus, agriculture, fisheries, navigation, water management and power generation will be integrated into the project.

DO: How will the government ensure quality and transparency in dredging and excavation projects?
Minister: We want to change a long-standing practice. Our challenge is to ensure that projects are implemented without corruption while maintaining quality. Whether it is canal excavation, river dredging or mega projects, quality and transparency will be ensured at every stage. We will work with ministry officials, relevant agencies and local communities to meet this challenge.

DO: Lastly, what is the central objective of your water-management strategy?
Minister: Our primary objective is to protect the public and national interest. Through canal restoration, we want to conserve water, increase agricultural production, develop fisheries, create employment and revive rural water transport. Projects such as the Padma Barrage and Teesta Master Plan will bring broader improvements in water management, agriculture, fisheries, navigation and the environment.

We want Bangladesh's rivers and canals to become functional and vibrant again. Proper and sustainable management of water resources is essential to building a self-reliant and economically stronger Bangladesh.