Water Resources, Environment, Forest and Climate Change Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hassan today spoke ‘Re-digging of Shuvadda Khal and development of its embankments’ project at Jhawbari bridge in Dhaka. Photo : PID

DHAKA, August 26, 2025(BSS) - Water Resources, Environment, Forest and Climate Change Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hassan today said that the Shuvadda canal would be linked again with Dhaleshwar and Buriganga rivers for ensuring its smooth flow.

“We have to revive the canal (Shuvadda) for national interest as it was linked with Dhaleshwar and Buriganga rivers,” she said this while inaugurating the first phase of ‘Re-digging of Shuvadda Khal and development of its embankments’ project at Jhawbari bridge area of Keraniganj upazila here.

The canal would be excavated with sufficient depth,  illegal occupants would be evicted and concrete walkways would be constructed to prevent reoccupation in future, the adviser said, adding that the environmental importance of the canal is very high as it supports biodiversity and mitigate flooding by storing floodwaters.

Seeking cooperation from the local people in implementing the project, Rizwana Hassan said that the responsibility of the project has been given to the Bangladesh Army after consulting with all concerned quarters. 

The recovery of this canal and its renovation would be remembered as an instance in future and the total budget and expenditure has already been published before the public -- as they are the tax payers and citizens of the country and have every right to know the information on it -- the adviser said.

Home and Agriculture Adviser Lieutenant General Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury (Retd.) said that the Shuvadda canal is a historical natural resource and heritage of the area. Once it was the source of livelihood, agriculture and fisheries of the area and an important option to discharge water, he added.

The 24th Engineering Construction Brigade of Bangladesh Army has been implementing the project at a cost of Taka 317.59 crore under the supervision of Bangladesh Water Development Board.

The inaugural function was addressed by Engineering-in-Chief of the army headquarters Major General Muhammad Hassan-uz-Zaman. Among others, senior secretary to the water resources ministry Md Mukabbir Hossain, Administrator of Dhaka North City Corporation Md Azaz, Divisional Commissioner Dhaka Sharf Uddin Ahmed Chowdhury, Deputy Inspector General (DIG), Dhaka range Rezaul Karim Mallik and Deputy Commissioner of Dhaka Tanvir Ahmed, were present at the function.