Staff Correspondent:
Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Chairman Tarique Rahman has said that if the BNP comes to power in the next national election by the people’s vote, 20,000 kilometers of canals will be dug across the country. He mentioned that this program will play an important role in reducing waterlogging, developing urban and rural water drainage systems, and protecting the environment.
He said these things while speaking as the chief guest at a prayer meeting and exchange of views organized by the Banani Society for the repose of the soul of former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia at the Banani Chairmanbari Ground in the capital on Tuesday (January 21, 2026). His wife Dr. Zubaida Rahman was present at the time.
Tarique Rahman said that the canal digging program of martyred President Ziaur Rahman once played a major role in improving the quality of life of people in different regions of the country. But later, due to the filling and encroachment of one canal after another, terrible waterlogging has been created across the country, including Dhaka city. He said, “If BNP is able to form a government with the people’s votes in the upcoming elections, an initiative will be taken to dig 20,000 kilometers of canals throughout Bangladesh.”
Explaining the initiative titled ‘I Have a Plan’ in detail, the BNP chairman said that BNP has a clear and integrated plan to deal with waterlogging, environmental pollution, education reform, youth problems and health sector crisis. Promising to solve waterlogging at the local level, he said that if elected, effective measures will be taken to restore the existing canals in the relevant areas.
Regarding the environment and greening of Dhaka, Tarique Rahman said that after returning to the country after a long time, he saw that the greenery in Dhaka has decreased and the city has become much drier than before. He said that if BNP is able to form a government, a plan to plant 250 million trees will be implemented in the next five years. He also said that initiatives will be taken for environment-friendly afforestation by expanding government and private nurseries in every upazila.
He further said that a team of environmental experts has prepared a list of suitable trees for different regions of the country after two years of research, which will help maintain the country’s environmental balance.
Expressing deep concern about the terrible traffic jam in Dhaka, Tarique Rahman said that getting out of the capital is now like a war. A long-term plan is needed to overcome this problem. He said that traffic jams can be reduced to a large extent if an improved public transport system can be introduced. He also proposed to connect Banani, Mohammadpur and other areas with the metro rail by introducing a monorail.
Regarding education and youth development, the BNP chairman said that major reforms will be brought in the education system to make sports a profession. It will be mandatory for every student to be involved in at least one sport and one cultural activity. He also announced plans to introduce third language learning opportunities such as French, German, Mandarin, Arabic and Japanese at the secondary level in addition to Bengali and English.
Regarding the digital economy and employment, Tarique Rahman said that initiatives will be taken to bring international payment platforms like PayPal to Bangladesh and the country’s IT parks will be activated. He also announced plans to provide free Wi-Fi and free working space in these parks.
Highlighting the crisis in the health sector, the BNP chairman said that there is still no central ambulance system in Dhaka city and no effective system for medical waste management has been developed. He said that BNP has a plan to reduce environmental and health risks by converting and recycling about 7,000 tons of solid waste generated in Dhaka every day into fuel.
In the last part of his speech, Tarique Rahman said, “If the issues that I have shared with you in ‘I Have a Plan’ are implemented, it is possible to bring real change in Bangladesh. This requires everyone’s cooperation.”
He claimed that no other political party has yet presented a clear and specific plan like BNP’s on water, environment, health, education and youth employment to the people.
