Water minister plays down Tipai fear
The government has a plan to implement two projects at a cost of Tk 1,159 crore for carrying out dredging in rivers including Buriganga, one of the rivers considered as lifeline of the capital city.
Replying to lawmakers' queries, Water Resources Minister Romesh Chandra Sen yesterday disclosed the government's plans in parliament.
On the lawmakers' angst over construction of Tipaimukh dam, the minister said the Tipaimukh dam project is not like the Farakka barrage and Indian government assured Bangladesh of not diverting water through the planned dam on the Borak river.
He said the government is taking steps to conduct a joint survey as per the decision of the 14th meeting of Joint Rivers Commission in 1978 to assess the possible benefits in areas, including flood control.
"It's learnt from diplomatic sources that the Tipaimukh project will be a waterpower project and also be aimed at controlling flood. India assured Bangladesh of not diverting water through this project," the minister said.
He said the government has decided to send a parliamentary delegation to visit the project area. The government will take necessary actions on receiving the report of the delegation, the water resources minister said in a scripted answer.
He said discussion on construction of Tipaimukh dam on Borak river has been taking place since 1972.
Workers Party lawmaker Rashed Khan Menon, Jatiya Party lawmaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed, BNP lawmaker Shahid Uddin Chowdhury Anne and Awami League lawmaker Apu Ukil raised questions on Tipaimukh dam project seeking answers from the water resources minister.
In response to a query of AL lawmaker Nazma Akhtar, the water resources minister said the government will implement a project titled 'Augmentation of Buriganga flow by restoring silted links with Jamuna' with a cost of Tk 610.70 crore to increase navigability of the river and to reduce pollution in it.
In response to another query of AL lawmaker Apu Ukil, he said the government has taken up a project titled 'Rehabilitation of embankments and excavation of rivers/khals' with a cost of Tk 547.95 crore to re-excavate rivers and canals across the country. "The government is considering to begin the project soon and the project is under approval,” the water resources minister said.
Besides, the minister said the government wants to implement another project titled 'Development of the capital; dredging and action plan for the river system of Bangladesh' to carry out dredging in the inland major rivers.
He said terms of reference for the project have been finalised. On approval, a feasibility study on the project will begin.
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