Govt reviewing technical, financial aspects of another Teesta barrage: Tarique
The prime minister provided the information in a written reply placed in parliament during the question-answer session today, as he was outside Dhaka on state duties
The government is reviewing technical and financial aspects of constructing another barrage on the Teesta River to conserve water during the dry season, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman said in a written answer placed in parliament on today (17 June).
The prime minister provided the information in a written reply placed in parliament during the question-answer session today, as he was outside Dhaka on state duties.
In a question, Rangpur-4 lawmaker Akhtar Hossain asked whether the Prime Minister's Office had any plan to take a special "integrated master plan" to implement large and important projects for improving the living standards of people in the Teesta riverine and historically development-deprived Rangpur-4 constituency, comprising Pirgachha and Kaunia, due to its geographical location.
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He also asked about permanent embankments to prevent river erosion and the construction of a second bridge over the Teesta River or a planned communication system.
In reply, Tarique said the Teesta River is extremely important for the livelihoods of people in the northern region.
Due to various limitations, including the construction of dams upstream of the Teesta, the river's water flow declines during the dry season, disrupting agricultural activities, including the Teesta Irrigation Project, he said.
On the other hand, sudden floods and river erosion occur during the monsoon because of excessive rainfall upstream, the prime minister added.
He further said, "Riverbank protection work covering 42.5 kilometres in five Teesta basin districts — Rangpur, Nilphamari, Kurigram, Gaibandha and Lalmonirhat — is ongoing at a cost of Tk230 crore in the previous and current fiscal years. The work is scheduled to be completed within this month.
"Of this, 4.6 kilometres of riverbank protection work is underway on the Teesta stretch in the Rangpur-4 constituency at a cost of around Tk24 crore. This work is also expected to be completed within the current month," he said.
As a result, river erosion in the area concerned will be reduced to a large extent, the prime minister said.
"A study has already been completed for implementing a sustainable and integrated development plan centred on the Teesta River," Tarique said.
"According to the study report, the Teesta master plan proposes 110 kilometres of riverbank protection, or river training, 110 kilometres of river dredging, construction of 224 kilometres of flood control embankments and roads on the embankments, construction and repair of 67 groynes and spurs, and reclamation and development of 170 square kilometres of land," he added.
"Besides, technical and financial aspects are being reviewed at different levels for constructing another barrage on the Teesta River to conserve water during the dry season," the prime minister said.
