United News of Bangladesh

The proposed Padma Barrage Project has undergone extensive technical scrutiny over several decades and remains a highly important and feasible initiative for Bangladesh’s long-term water resources management and regional economic development, Water Resources Minister Md. Shahiduddin Chowdhury Anee told Parliament on Sunday. Responding to a tabled question of Jamaat MP M Nurul Islam (Chapainawabganj-3), the minister said the Padma Barrage Project is not a new concept but one that has been under consideration for many years. The minister said four international studies were conducted between 1960 and 2000 to identify a suitable location for the barrage and a pre-feasibility study carried out by the Water Resources Planning Organisation (WARPO) in 2002 recommended two potential sites near the Hardinge Bridge area—Thakurbari in Kushtia and Pangsha in Rajbari. The project’s feasibility study was approved in 2005 and undertaken by a consortium comprising four local and three international consulting firms, along with five local associate organisations, said the minister. The comprehensive study was completed in 2013, he added. The design prepared on the basis of the study was reviewed by the Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB) and further refined following assessments and recommendations from relevant high-level technical committees before being finalized, the minister said. He said satellite imagery from 2011 to 2025 and field-level observations confirmed the stability of the riverbanks at the proposed site. The formation of chars has also created favourable environmental and technical conditions for the construction of the barrage, he said. Data received from the Joint Rivers Commission (JRC) covering the period from 1997 to 2025 indicate that water can be supplied to the major river systems within the project area through operation of the barrage, even under extreme conditions, he added. The minister said the project was adopted in the national interest after careful verification and analysis of all available information and data. Acknowledging the dynamic nature of a major river such as the Padma, he said hydro-morphological changes during implementation would not be unusual. To address this, provisions have been made to appoint both local and international consultants who will review approved designs, recommend necessary modifications and ensure continuous monitoring throughout implementation, he said. In addition, a seven-member expert panel led by a renowned water resources specialist from Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) has been incorporated into the project framework to provide technical guidance and solutions during implementation. The minister expressed confidence that these arrangements would ensure transparency, effectiveness and timely completion of the project. He said the Padma Barrage Project was approved after comprehensive evaluation and would be implemented with appropriate management mechanisms to safeguard national interests and achieve long-term development objectives.  

The government will soon take a decision on the Padma Barrage project as its technical, survey and feasibility studies have almost been completed, Water Resources Minister Shahid Uddin Chowdhury Anee said on Wednesday. He made the remarks while briefing reporters after a meeting with Prime Minister Tarique Rahman at Secretariat. “The study report, technical aspects and feasibility assessment of the Padma Barrage project are nearly complete,” the minister said. He said the government will take a final decision on the project after discussion. “We hope the project will be placed at an ECNEC meeting very soon, where it will be discussed and a decision will be taken.” The meeting on water resource management was held at the Prime Minister’s Office at around 10:00 am with the Prime Minister in the chair. Prime Minister’s Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Rumon said issues related to canal excavation, irrigation facilities during the dry season and major projects including the Padma Barrage were discussed at the hour-long meeting. After the meeting, Minister Anee said the Padma Barrage project is one of the country’s largest and is expected to benefit a significant portion of the population, particularly in northern districts. Besides irrigation, the project will help maintain water flow, improve groundwater levels, and support fisheries and agriculture, he said. The minister also said the Teesta master plan was discussed at the meeting, noting that its feasibility study is currently underway. “Further studies will be required. We discussed how to ensure benefits for the people of the area and the country taking into account all technical aspects and surveys.” Replying to a question, he said canal excavation programmes are ongoing and the Prime Minister is expected to inaugurate such activities in Chandpur on May 16 and in Feni on May 25 before the monsoon season begins. Anee also said the government has taken a plan to excavate around 20,000 kilometres of canals across the country over the next five years.