Photo: BSS

By Md Aynal Haque

RAJSHAHI, Sept 9, 2026 (BSS) — Re-excavation of a seven-kilometre-long canal in Jhikra Union of Bagmara upazila has eased long-standing waterlogging and created new opportunities for irrigation during the dry season, benefiting local farmers.

The canal was re-excavated at a cost of Tk 1.80 crore, with the work inaugurated on May 2 and completed on June 25 after a 40-day programme.

Under the project, seven kilometres of the canal were re-excavated, maintaining a width of 12 feet and depth of 10 feet at the bottom, while the top width was kept at 30 feet as per government directives.

Of the total allocation, Tk 89 lakh was earmarked for workers' wages. According to the project implementation office, Tk 23 lakh of the unspent amount from the wage allocation was returned to the government treasury after completion of the work.

Project Implementation Officer Noor-e-Shefa said all activities were carried out in accordance with government directives and the unspent money was deposited in the government treasury.

She said workers were paid according to government rules and there was no shortage of labour during the implementation of the project.

Local farmers said water used to remain stagnant in different areas even after light rainfall, leaving a large amount of farmland uncultivated. The re-excavated canal is now helping drain excess water while also creating scope for storing water during the dry season.

Azadul Islam, a farmer of Jhikra village who also worked on the excavation project, said the re-excavation has brought relief to local farmers.

“The fate of farmers has changed through the re-excavation of the canal. I also worked on the project and received fair wages,” he said.

Deen Islam, organising secretary of Jhikra Union BNP, said water no longer remains stagnant in areas that previously suffered from waterlogging.

“As a result, farmers will be able to cultivate their land more easily. It has become a blessing for farmers,” he said.

Mobarak Hossain Manju, president of the Jhikra canal re-excavation project, said the initiative would bring an end to the suffering caused by waterlogging.

“Even a little rainfall used to cause waterlogging and leave many acres of land uncultivated. This farmer-friendly initiative will help remove that problem,” he said.

Locals hope the re-excavation of the canal will bring more fallow land under cultivation, increase irrigation facilities and reduce farmers' production costs in the long run.