United News of Bangladesh

Speakers at a national seminar on transboundary water issues have stressed the need for Bangladesh to pursue water diplomacy and management based on national interest, scientific evidence, fairness and long-term planning. They said Bangladesh must address both flood-season water abundance and dry-season scarcity through stronger river-basin management, scientific planning, political commitment and coordinated diplomacy. “The issues are technical, but the solutions must ultimately be political and guided by our national interest,” said Prime Minister Finance and Planning Adviser Dr. Rashed Al Mahmud Titumi while speaking as the chief guest. The seminar titled “Transboundary Water Sharing Issues and Padma Barrage” was held at North South University on Sunday that called for national preparedness, evidence-based water diplomacy, regional dialogue, technically sound river management, and coordinated policy action to protect Bangladesh’s water security, ecological balance, and sustainable development. Political Commitment Dr Titumir said Bangladesh must address both flood-season abundance and dry-season scarcity through long-term planning, political commitment, and scientific management. Referring to the ecological value of rivers, he observed, “A river should not be understood merely by its number, but by its ecosystem and the wider impacts it creates.” The economist said the proposed Padma Barrage is not only an engineering project, but also a national development concern linked to agriculture, livelihoods, and the future of western and southwestern Bangladesh. Economic Implications Special Assistant to the Prime Minister, Environment, Forests and Climate Change Affairs Dr. Md. Saimum Parvez highlighted the government’s environmental priorities, including tree plantation, canal digging, waste-to-wealth initiatives, renewable energy, and a greener Bangladesh.  “Efficient water use and regional power trade can create pathways for mitigating transboundary water disputes,” he said. Water-sharing challenges need to be understood through both river-basin dynamics and their economic implications, Parvez said. The keynote speech was delivered by Dr. Mohammad Abul Hossen, former Member of the Joint Rivers Commission. He discussed river-basin management, hydro-economic modelling, benefit sharing, efficient water use, and regional power trade as possible pathways for reducing transboundary water disputes. A policy and diplomacy presentation was delivered by Mohammad Sufiur Rahman, Senior Research Fellow at South Asian Institute of Policy and Governance (SIPG), NSU. He stressed the need to build synergy with relevant Indian stakeholders and restore natural river flows through fair and cooperative water-sharing arrangements. Shared Resource Former Ambassador Sufiur said water should be treated as a shared resource, not as a commercial commodity. “Equity, fairness, and the principle of causing no harm to either party must remain at the heart of water-sharing negotiations,” he added. The discussion featured eminent experts, including Engr ANH Akhter Hossain, former Secretary, Government of Bangladesh; Dr. Md. Ataur Rahman, Professor, Department of Water Resources Engineering, BUET. Discussants called for a stronger national framework combining engineering knowledge, environmental protection, legal preparedness, basin-level planning, and diplomacy. Shafik Islam, Professor of Tufts University, described the issue as “engineering diplomacy, where rigor meets reality,” noting that “the treaty is only the tip of the iceberg; understanding the patterns, structures, and mental models beneath it is essential.” The session was chaired by Professor Abdul Hannan Chowdhury, Vice-Chancellor of North South University. He said, “When the glass remains empty in downstream water sharing, we must find scientific and engineering solutions to manage our own water resources.” He added that Bangladesh’s water resources must be managed for national benefit while supporting sustainable living. Professor Md. Sirajul Islam,  Professor of CEE, NSU, highlighted the focus of the seminar and said, “For Bangladesh, water-resource planning must consider seasonal river changes, sedimentation, transparency, and expert opinion before major interventions are made.” Delivering the concluding remarks and vote of thanks, Professor Sk. Tawfique M. Haque, Director of SIPG, NSU, urged policymakers to prepare for multiple negotiation scenarios. He said, “We need greater cohesion and civility in South Asia, in all kinds of negotiation.” He further cautioned, “Policymakers must be prepared with Plans A, B, and C; treaty renewal should not be taken for granted.” The seminar was jointly organised by SIPG and the CEE, NSU, at North South University. It brought together policymakers, water experts, engineers, diplomats, academics, and civil society representatives to discuss Bangladesh’s water security, the Ganges Water Sharing Treaty, the Teesta issue, and the proposed Padma Barrage.

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.