By Md Aynal Haque

RAJSHAHI, Dec 18, 2023 (BSS) - Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB) 
implements various need-based projects for water resource management in 
different districts of Rajshahi division.

A total of 217-kilometre Rivers were brought under either dredging or re-
excavation in the 'Bangalee-Korotoa-Fulzore-Hurasagar river system' in 
Bogura, Gaibandha and Sirajganj districts, BWDB Chief Engineer Zahirul Islam 
said. 

He said 19.57-kilometre river embankment protection works in different areas 
of Bogura district were executed as 15.60-kilometre bank areas of Korotoa and 
Fuljhore rivers in Sirajganj districts were protected under the Taka 
2,335.60-crore project.

The project revitalised the river system with bringing back the navigability 
in the river.

Another Taka 465.46-crore project has been implemented for protecting the 
Khudbandi, Shingabari and Subhagachha areas in Kazipur upazila of Sirajganj 
district from erosion by the Jamuna River, Islam said.

Various physical infrastructure developments, including 18-kilometer 
dredging, 40-kilometer flood control embankment restoration and four-
kilometre river bank protection works, have been done under the project he 
added.

Around 4.68-square kilometre land was reclaimed from the Jamuna River through 
dredging in the Sirajganj district.

Apart from this, under the Taka 509.94-crore project, protection works on the 
3.20-kilometer river bank were completed successfully.
 
Engineer Islam said another project titled "Flood Control, Water Sewerage and 
Irrigation in Joboy Beel" in Shapahar and Porsha upazilas of Naogaon district 
is being implemented.

7.93 hectares of land acquisition, construction of a 14-vent regulator and 10 
inlets, restoration of 14-kilometer embankment, re-excavation of 14-kilometer 
canal and protection of 0.8-kilomter approach road slope will be implemented 
under the Taka 41.96-crore project. 

Initiatives have been taken to protect the areas of Shingra Municipality of 
Natore district from erosion by Atrai and Nagar Rivers. 
There are also provisions of protecting the 1.708-kilometer river embankment 
and re-excavating the 96-kilometre River in the project, the BWDB official 
said. 

Works on 4.905-kilometer river embankment protection and three groin/spars 
rehabilitation has been executed under another project with Taka 268.17-crore 
for protecting more than five kilometers area from river erosion in Rajshahi 
city, he said.

The bank of the Padma river has got a new look following implementation of 
the development scheme. Entire area has turned into an amusement park. 

BWDB has been implementing a project to protect immovable and movable assets 
worth around Taka 3,231.33 crore from erosion of the River Padma in Rajshahi.

The project titled "Protection of Installations along the left bank of the 
Padma River from its erosion in Charghat and Bagha upazilas in Rajshahi" 
estimated cost at around Taka 616.80 crore.

Talking to BSS, Superintending Engineer and Director of the project Shafiqul 
Islam said river embankment protection works are being done on a 5.10-
kilometer area through necessary infrastructure development involving around 
Taka 354.10 crore.

"We are also implementing dredging works on a 12.10-kilometer area for 
restoring its navigability besides diverting the water current to the middle 
portion of the river at a cost of around Taka 262.70 crore," he added.

Crossbars will be built with the dredged sands that will generate scopes of 
reclaiming 120 hectares of land in the crossbars. 

Trees will be planted on the crossbars which will ensure an environment-
friendly atmosphere besides mitigating the adverse impact of climate change.

Rubber dam, an ever-largest in the country and the tenth in the south Asia, 
is being constructed on the Mahananda river in Chapainawabganj district.

Upon its successful implementation, the dam will enhance irrigation to around 
8,000 hectares of land on both sides of the river for yielding crops of 
around Taka 55.83 crore along with producing fishes' worth around Taka 22.37 
crore annually, the official said.

In addition to improving living and livelihood conditions of people residing 
along the banks of the river, the project, being implemented at a cost of 
around Taka 251 crore, is also intended to protect the environment from the 
adverse impact of climate change.