Desk Report:
Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has inaugurated the re-excavation of the Basia River canal in Sylhet, which is associated with the memory of martyred President Ziaur Rahman.
Today, Saturday (May 2, 2026) at 1:20 pm, he formally inaugurated the program by cutting the soil with a spade with his own hands in adverse weather conditions.
The Basia River, located in Kashipur Union, about 7 kilometers from Sylhet city, is connected to the Surma River. The canal was filled for a long time, causing problems in agriculture and water drainage.
Addressing the locals present at the inauguration ceremony, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman said that martyred President Ziaur Rahman dug this canal in 1977. Later, the canal filled up and lost its effectiveness. The current government has taken the initiative to dig the canal again.
He said that if the canal is re-excavated, about 80,000 farmers will benefit directly and about 150,000 more farmers will benefit indirectly. In addition, crop production will increase on the land on both banks of the canal and an additional 7,000 metric tons of crops will be produced annually.
Commerce Minister Khandaker Abdul Muktadir, Water Resources Minister Shahid Uddin Chowdhury Annie, State Minister Farhad Hossain Azad, along with the Prime Minister’s advisors and local dignitaries were present at the event.
