Water Resources Minister Md Shahiduddin Chowdhury Anee on Thursday said the government has taken a plan to excavate and re-excavate some 20,000 kilometres of canals across the country over the next five years.

He made the disclosure while replying to a starred tabled question by treasury bench member from Gaibandha-4 Mohammad Shamim Kaiser in Parliament.

The minister said in line with the government’s election manifesto, canal excavation and re-excavation activities are currently underway in different districts under a nationwide programme for dredging rivers, canals, sanctuaries and other water bodies.

He added that under the government’s 180-day action plan, ongoing projects implemented by the Ministry of Water Resources, Local Government Division and the Ministry of Agriculture will complete excavation and re-excavation of 1,204 kilometres of canals across the country by June 2026.

“In addition, a total of 20,000 kilometres of canals will be excavated and re-excavated over the next five years through both ongoing and new projects,” Anee said.

He informed the House that the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief will re-excavate and rehabilitate around 1,500 kilometres of canals by June 2026 under KABIKHA, KABITA and TR programmes.

The minister noted that three canal re-excavation projects are currently being implemented in Gaibandha district under the supervision of the Local Government Division and the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief.

“A large-scale project for canal excavation is also under formulation at the Ministry of Water Resources,” he added.