PM inaugurates canal excavation programme in Dinajpur

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Monday inaugurated a nationwide canal excavation and re-excavation programme by cutting soil with a spade at Sahapara canal in Kaharol upazila of Dinajpur.

The programme was launched at around 12:27pm in Balrampur village under Ramchandrapur union of the upazila.

The initiative brings back a programme first introduced by BNP founder and former president Ziaur Rahman who started canal excavation work across the country.

After introducing the Family Card programme earlier, the Prime Minister launched the canal revival initiative to fulfil another election pledge made by the BNP ahead of the 13th parliamentary election.

Accompanied by ministers and BNP leaders, Tarique Rahman personally began re-excavating the Sahapara canal cutting soil with a spade at Balrampur Sahapara in Kaharole upazila.

By digging the canal with his own hands, the Prime Minister evoked the memory of his father, BNP founder and former President Ziaur Rahman.

Nearly five decades ago, he had taken a similar initiative by personally digging canals to improve irrigation and increase agricultural production.

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

The Prime Minister arrived at Syedpur Airport from Dhaka by air at 10:15am. From there, he travelled by road to the Balrampur Sahapara area in Dinajpur. Leaders and activists stood along both sides of the road to greet him as his motorcade passed.

This is Tarique Rahman’s first visit outside the capital since assuming office as Prime Minister on 17 February.

He is also scheduled to address a public meeting near the canal at Sahapara.

The programme is being jointly organised by the Water Resources Ministry and the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP).

Source: UNB