Water Resources Minister Md. Shahiduddin Chowdhury Anee. Photo: Collected

By Naziur Rahman Sohel

DHAKA, Feb 28, 2026 (BSS) - Water Resources Minister Md. Shahiduddin Chowdhury Anee has said the government has launched a nationwide massive campaign to transform the historic canal excavation programme initiated by Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman into a social revolution and movement.

"In line with the BNP's election pledge, a master plan has been undertaken to re-excavate 20,000 kilometers of canals and water bodies across the country over the next five years," he told BSS in an interview at his Secretariat office here recently.

Anee said under the first phase of this grand initiative, 1,000 kilometers of canals will be excavated within 180 days under a pilot program. 

The results will be visible very soon, and people will begin to reap the initial benefits, he added. 

The minister described the government's initiative as a new milestone for the country's aquatic ecosystem, contributing to agricultural prosperity, fisheries development, and environmental balance.

During the interview, he openly discussed the government's short- and long-term plans, the challenges posed by illegal encroachment in canal excavation, and various issues related to public interest.

Describing the canal excavation program as a 'revolution', Anee said Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman had initiated this program during his lifetime, and it achieved unprecedented success with spontaneous public participation. 

However, for various reasons, this continuity was not maintained later, he said.

"Prime Minister Tarique Rahman clearly and categorically stated in the election manifesto that will re-excavate 20,000 kilometers of canals and water bodies. This is not merely a government project; it is a struggle for survival for the people. The current government is determined to complete the unfinished work of Ziaur Rahman," he said.

Anee said the government has adopted a 180-day action plan on a priority basis to implement the election pledge. 

"We have already started canal excavation work. As per the decision of a high-level meeting of the ministry, field-level supervision has begun," he said.

Regarding ongoing activities, the minister said, "We have already inspected the excavation works of the Subhadya, Chunkutia, and Ati Zaynagar canals in Keraniganj, Dhaka." 

"A project is currently in full swing there. Besides, we are visiting Jaintapur in Sylhet to review the excavation of five to six important canals. After that, we will inspect embankment and water body renovation works in the haor areas of Sunamganj, which are extremely crucial to protect crops from floods during the monsoon season," he said.

He said after completing the pilot programme, long-term project work will begin. For this, the government will formulate a Development Project Proposal (DPP) to implement the master plan, he said.

In response to a question about the main obstacles in implementing the excavation programme, the minister said, "This is a difficult challenge. We have seen that in many places canals have been filled up to construct houses, markets, and multi-storey buildings."

Anee said waste and garbage have completely destroyed the navigability of canals while in some areas, embankments have been built over canals for fish farming. 

"We are firmly stating that these obstacles will be removed in the public interest. Necessary measures will be taken wherever required. At this moment, rescuing the dead canals and restoring natural water flow is the biggest challenge," he said.

He said alongside water resources ministry, the ministries of agriculture, LGRD and cooperatives, and disaster management and relief will work jointly to implement the master plan.

On afforestation, the minister said, "Along with canal excavation, a target has been set to plant 50 million trees over the next five years to protect the environment. Some work will be done manually, while larger projects will be completed through the tender process. Initiatives have already been taken to formulate a new long-term project DPP."

Regarding economic and environmental impacts, the minister emphasized, "If the canals are excavated, waterlogging will be removed on one hand, and irrigation water will be ensured during the dry season on the other."

"This will multiply agricultural production several times. Moreover, indigenous fish will be cultivated in these canals, meeting protein demand. We are coordinating our work in such a way that the benefits of this project reach every citizen's doorstep," he added.

Calling upon all concerned ministries to submit their action plans quickly, he said, "We are working for people's livelihoods, biodiversity conservation, and sustainable development."

He also sought full cooperation from the general public in this grand programme.