State Minister for Shipping and Bridges Md Rajib Ahsan on Sunday inaugurated the re-excavation of a canal in Rajapur upazila of Jhalakathi.
The inauguration took place in the Angaria area’s Tulatuli locality, where the state minister unveiled a plaque and symbolically began the excavation work.
The project, being implemented under the Small-Scale Water Resources Management Programme, will involve re-excavation of a 3.41-kilometre canal at a cost of Tk 1,11,14,367. The work will be carried out by the Local Government Engineering Department (LGED).
Speaking at the event, speakers said the canal re-excavation would help ensure timely drainage of water, reducing waterlogging and protecting crops. It will also bring more land under cultivation and facilitate local boat movement.
They added that the project would support fish production, enable irrigation during the dry season for Aman and Boro rice cultivation, and help conserve water to protect seasonal crops from drought. The initiative is also expected to improve the natural environment, promote fish farming, allow tree plantation along canal banks, create employment opportunities and reduce poverty in the area.
Among others, Jhalakathi-1 MP Rafiq ul Islam Jamal, Deputy Commissioner Md Momin Uddin, Zila Parishad Administrator Advocate Shahadat Hossain and Superintendent of Police Mizanur Rahman spoke at the event.