BSS, Dhaka :
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has asked the ministry of water resources to take flood control measures and river training keeping pace with nature.
She asked them to allow the rivers to flow normally improving their navigability and be more careful about constructing barrages and sluice gates.
“We need measures to control flood, river training and irrigation for food production and fish culture, but it should not be at the cost of disrupting normal courses of the rivers going against the inherent power of the water and river,” she said.
The Prime Minister said this while addressing the officials of the ministry during her visit to the ministry at Bangladesh Secretariat here today.
Sheikh Hasina asked the officials to carryout a study on the necessity of existing sluice gates across the country and execution of the present government’s river dredging and river training projects.
In this regard, the Prime Minister said, the government is making its constant efforts for signing of the Teesta river water sharing agreement with India.
She said, her government is keen to resolve the issues of transboundary rivers with amicable negotiation with neighbouring countries. In line with this, she said, Bangladesh and India has come to a fruitful decision and reached a consensus for signing of the Teesta agreement.
“But, signing of the agreement halted due to unfortunate objection of the West Bengal Chief Minister. But, the central government of India was sincere for the agreement. I’m hopeful about resolving the problem through discussion,” she said.
Laying importance on cooperation on management of the water resources of the common rivers in this region, Sheikh Hasina said, the much-talked about Ganges Barrage would be constructed under a joint initiative with neighbouring countries, as otherwise it may create confusion among them.
Minister for Water Resources Barrister Anisul Islam Mahmud gave introductory speech. State Minister Muhammad Nazrul Islam, Bir Protik, PM’s Principal Secretary Abdus Sobhan Sikder, PMO Secretary Abul Kalam Azad, secretary of the MoWR Dr. Zafar Ahmed Khan, heads of different division and board under the ministry and senior officials were present.
