The launch of a canal re-excavation programme by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman in Dinajpur on Monday stirred memories of a similar initiative taken nearly five decades ago by his father, former president Ziaur Rahman.

Residents of Balrampur village in Kaharol upazila said Tarique Rahman appeared to be following the path of the BNP founder by personally joining the excavation work with a spade.

About five decades ago, Ziaur Rahman took part in canal excavation work by cutting soil with a spade alongside hundreds of villagers of different ages.

Accompanied by ministers and BNP leaders, Tarique Rahman personally began the re-excavation of the Sahapara canal by cutting soil with a spade at Balrampur Sahapara in Kaharol upazila of Dinajpur around 12:27pm.

By cutting the first soil from the canal, he formally launched the nationwide programme, marking the start of similar activities across the country.

Several thousand local people enthusiastically watched as the head of government dug the canal himself, following in the footsteps of his late father.

Sixty-five-year-old resident Halima Khatun of Balrampur village said the programme reminded many people of the earlier initiative led by Ziaur Rahman.

“Just like his father, he is taking part in canal digging. President Ziaur Rahman used to join canal excavation programmes with ordinary people through voluntary work,” she added.

Sahapara canal in Balrampur now looks more like uneven piles of soil than a flowing canal, as much of the water has dried up over the years.

During the monsoon, water flow through the canal remains limited, often leading to waterlogging in nearby areas.

A local resident, Amjad Hossain, said the canal has long been a source of hardship for people in the area.

“Our situation has not been good. The condition of the canal has been a major problem for us. Now Tarique Rahman has come here, like his father, to re-excavate the canal. If the canal is re-excavated this time, our suffering may end,” he added.

The nearly 12-kilometre Sahapara canal in Ramchandrapur union of Dinajpur’s Kaharol upazila is connected with the Punarbhaba River, one of the main rivers in the district.

The river flows from India’s West Bengal into Bangladesh through Thakurgaon before passing through Dinajpur.

The visit of the Prime Minister has created excitement among people in the area.

Many villagers including children and women came out of their homes and stood along the narrow roadside to see him as his motorcade travelled about 12–13 kilometres to the programme venue in Balrampur.

Some waved their hands to greet the Prime Minister as he passed, sitting on a bus.

Speaking to journalists before the inauguration, Social Welfare and Women and Children Affairs Minister and Dinajpur-6 MP Professor AZM Zahid Hossain said local people are taking part in the re-excavation of the canal.

Sahapara canal is about 12.2 kilometres long and is connected with the Punarbhaba River.

According to local leaders, the canal was first excavated in 1977 by then president Ziaur Rahman with the participation of local villagers and party activists.

Prof Zahid Hossain said once the entire canal is completed, around 31,000 farmers in the region will benefit directly while nearly 350,000 people will gain overall benefits.

He said the re-excavation would help solve the area’s waterlogging problem, increase crop production and improve the local economy.

“The project will also create opportunities for fish farming, duck rearing and plantation along the banks of the canal, helping maintain environmental balance and increase agricultural production,” he added.

From early morning, leaders and activists started gathering at the venue in small processions. Many villagers also came to see the Prime Minister.

General Secretary of Ramchandrapur union BNP Anwarul Islam said people in the area suffer from waterlogging during the monsoon.

“Water enters houses and low-lying croplands go under water. As Sahapara canal has now been re-excavated, it will greatly benefit us,” he said.