Photo: BSS

RANGPUR, July 22, 2025 (BSS) – A Chinese delegation today exchanged views with BNP leaders, visited the Teesta River and spoke to people along the riverbanks to assess the feasibility and means of implementation of the Teesta Master Plan (TMP) project.
 
In the morning, a political exchange of views of BNP leaders with the Chinese delegation was held at the district BNP office at the Grand Hotel intersection of Rangpur city with the aim of implementing the nationally and internationally much-discussed TMP project. 
 
The Chinese delegation was led by Director of the Political Section at the Chinese Embassy in Bangladesh Mr Zhu Jing.
 
On the other hand, Chief Coordinator of the Teesta River Protection Movement and Organizing Secretary (Rangpur division) of the BNP central executive committee Principal Asadul Habib Dulu led the BNP delegation.
 
The leaders of the metropolitan BNP led by Rangpur Metropolitan BNP Convener Shamsuzzaman Samu,  Member-secretary Advocate Mahfuz-un Nabi Don, and  leaders of the district BNP led by Rangpur District BNP Convener Md Saiful Islam,  Member-secretary Md Anisur Rahman Laku, Kawnia Upazila BNP President Emdadul Haque Bharsha and leaders from various levels of BNP, attended the event.
 
Principal Asadul Habib Dulu hoped that if the TMP project is implemented, the overall development of the region will be achieved through preventing river erosion, increasing agricultural production and improving livelihoods.
 
After the view exchange, the Chinese delegation with the BNP leaders visited the river erosion-affected areas on the banks of the Teesta River in Laksmitari Union and other places of Gangachara Upazila of the district this afternoon. 
 
The Chinese delegation with the BNP leaders visited the houses of the erosion and flood-affected people on the Teesta riverbanks, inquired about their whereabouts, listened to their sorrows, hardships and opinions about implementation of the TMP project.
 
At this time, the Chinese representatives listened attentively to the suffering of the local people due to river erosion and climate change and assured them of standing by their side. 
 
People along the banks of the river Teesta expressed deep optimism to the Chinese delegation about the implementation of the TMP project and welcomed the Chinese government's strong interest and active participation in the project’s implementation.
 
The Chinese delegation distributed various gifts to the flood and erosion-affected families living on the banks of the Teesta River. 
 
The Chinese delegation's humanitarian assistance has instilled hope in the minds of the common people along the riverbanks.
 
BNP leader Principal Asadul Habib Dulu said that the implementation of TMP is the only sustainable solution to end the plight of people living along the river banks in the region and move towards a better future by improving their livelihoods and standard of living.
 
“Our party and people will extend all possible cooperation for the TMP project’s quick implementation, even from this current year. It is the demand of the people of this region living alongside the river Teesta,” he said. 
 
Mr Zhu Jing said, "We are here again. We have witnessed the sufferings of the people along the banks of the Teesta River. We hope that the implementation of the TMP project will start soon with the  Chinese assistance."