Other

Re-excavation of Alaikumari Canal begins in Rangpur

Barind Multipurpose Development Authority (BMDA) has started re-excavation of the Alaikumari Canal in Pirgachha upazila here to store and ensure best use of surface water.

Commerce Minister Tipu Munshi launched the re-excavation work by unveiling a plaque in a function arranged on the canal bank after inaugurating the newly built building of Pirgachha zonal office of BMDA earlier this week as the chief guest, a BMDA press release said on Thursday evening.

BMDA constructed the regional office and is implementing re-excavation of the canal under the Expansion of Irrigation in greater Rangpur district through best uses of surface water and conservation of rainwater (EIRP) project.

Pirgachha upazila chairman Abu Naser Md. Mahbubar Rahman, Upazila Nirbahi Officer Sheikh Shamsul Arefin and Executive Engineer of BMDA for Rangpur region Md. Harun Ar Rashid attended the function.

Project Director of the EIRP project and Superintending Engineer of BMDA for Rangpur Circle Engineer Habibur Rahman Khan narrated goals of the project.

The project is being implemented in 35 upazilas of five districts in greater Rangpur to ensure best use of surface water and conservation of rainwater.

“Under the project, re-excavation of canals and beels and ponds, installation of low lift pumps, solar power-run dug-wells and construction of foot over bridges and cross dams and tree plantation are being implemented,” he said.

Re-excavation of canals, beels and ponds will increase water holding capacity, facilitate drainage, waterlogged lands will become suitable for agriculture and stored water can be used for irrigation, poultry farming, fish farming and household activities.

“Stored water in re-excavated water bodies will reload the groundwater table and promote agriculture to enhance food production also improving nutrition, environment, ecology and biodiversity,” Khan added.

During the current fiscal, the project has a target of re-excavating 20-km of canals, three beels, 15 ponds, installation of 15 solar power-run LLPs, 10 electricity-run LLPs, 15 solar power-run dug-wells and plantation of 48,000 saplings in greater Rangpur.

“Of them, re-excavation of 15-km of canals, three ponds and training of 50 farmers on modern farming technologies and plantation of 30,000 saplings will be conducted in Pirgachha upazila alone,” he added.

The Minister directed the authorities concerned to implement the project works maintaining appropriate quality, standards and transparency.

“We have to ensure best use of surface water in agriculture to keep food production increasing for ensuring sustainable national food security by reducing pressure on underground water,” he said.

Related Articles

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Back to top button
Close