Desk Report:
Water Resources Minister Md. Shahiduddin Chowdhury Annie said that the canal excavation program is a revolution, which was started by martyred President Ziaur Rahman. Canal excavation is one of the election promises of the current government. A 180-day program has already been undertaken through several inter-ministerial meetings. Visible work on canal excavation has begun. He said that canal excavation will radically change people’s lives and livelihoods.
The minister said these things in his speech as the chief guest at the Chaukkar Canal inspection and discussion meeting in Chapila Para of Sreepur Municipality, Gazipur on Monday (March 2, 2026). State Minister for Water Resources Farhad Hossain Azad was present at the time.
Shahiduddin Chowdhury Annie said that the current government is a people-friendly government. The government has started working for public welfare from the day after taking charge. The government is giving importance to canal excavation to provide irrigation for agricultural purposes, increase fish production, increase water flow and eliminate waterlogging. In addition to canal excavation across the country including Gazipur, tree plantation and beautification will be done on both sides of the canal, he said.
The State Minister for Water Resources said that the current government has been working for public welfare since taking office. A target of 20,000 km of canals, ponds and reservoirs across the country in the next 5 years has been set. The government has already waived off agricultural loans worth Tk 10,000. The Prime Minister will inaugurate the family card distribution program in 15 upazilas on March 10, he said.
Earlier, the minister visited the Chaukkar Canal in Sreepur Upazila. The minister was welcomed in Sreepur Upazila by Gazipur-3 constituency MP Professor Dr. S.M. Rafiqul Islam, Deputy Commissioner Md. Alam Hossain, Police Superintendent Md. Sharif Uddin and Upazila Nirbahi Officer Barrister Md. Sajeeb Ahmed.
The minister also inspected the Salt Canal in Dokhola, Ward 5 of Sreepur Municipality, and the Gancha Canal in Tongi.
