Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Saturday inaugurated the re-excavation of historic Patali Canal in Pmkhali Union of Cox’s Bazar Sadar Upazila, a canal closely associated with the memory of former President Ziaur Rahman.

Soon after arriving in Cox’s Bazar from Dhaka, the Prime Minister went to Pmkhali and formally launched the re-excavation programme at around 10:50am.

The canal was originally excavated in November, 1979 when then President Ziaur Rahman visited Pmkhali and inaugurated the work by cutting soil  with a spade.

During that visit, Zia also planted a date palm tree on the canal bank. The tree still stands there nearly five decades later as a reminder of the historic event.

Tarique formally launched the re-excavation work by cutting earth with a spade on the canal bank.

He also planted an almond treesapling beside the canal.

Home Minister and Cox’s Bazar-1 lawmaker Salahuddin Ahmed, Water Resources Minister Shahiduddin Choudhury Anee, State Minister Farhad Hossain Azad, State Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism Rashiduzzaman Millat, State Minister for  LGRD Mir Sahe Alam, State Minister for Chattogram Hill Tracts Affairs and Land Mir Md Helal Uddin, State Minister for Textiles and Jute Shariful Alam, Cox’s Bazar-3 MP Lutfur Rahman Kajal and Cox’s Bazar Deputy Commissioner Md Abdul Mannan were among others present.

Thousands of people from Patali village and surrounding areas gathered along the canal bank from the morning braving heavy rain to witness the programme and greet the Prime Minister.

Earlier, the Prime Minister and his wife Dr Zubaida Rahman arrived in Cox’s Bazar around 9:50am by air.

After inaugurating the re-excavation work, Tarique Rahman went onto a temporary stage beside the canal and waved to the crowd, exchanging greetings with local residents.