RANGPUR, Jan 24, 2021 (BSS) – Barind Multipurpose Development Authority (BMDA) has begun re-excavation of the Mora Teesta River at Badarganj upazila in the district to ensure best use of surface water and reduce dependence on groundwater.
Member of Parliament (Rangpur-2 constituency) Abul Kamal Md. Ahsanul Haque Chowdhury (Deuk) launched the re-excavation in a function held on the riverbank at Badarganj point on Saturday afternoon as the chief guest.
BMDA is implementing re-excavation work of the river Mora Teesta under its Expansion of Irrigation in greater Rangpur district through best uses of surface water and conservation of Rainwater (EIRP) project.
Badarganj upazila Chairman Fazle Rabbi Sweet, Badarganj municipal Mayor Ahsanul Haque Chowdhury (Tutul), Project Director of the EIRP project and Superintending Engineer of BMDA for Rangpur Circle Habibur Rahman Khan and its Executive Engineer for Rangpur region Harun Ar Rashid attended the function.
The EIRP Project Director discussed the goals of the project being implemented in 35 upazilas of Rangpur, Nilphamari, Kurigram, Lalmonirhat and Gaibandha districts in the project area.
“Under the project, re-excavation of canals and beels and ponds, installation of low lift pumps (LLPs), solar power-run dug-wells and construction of foot over bridges and cross dams and tree plantation are being implemented,” he said.
Re-excavation of canals, beels and ponds will increase water holding capacity, facilitate drainage and waterlogged lands will become suitable for agriculture and stored water can be used for irrigation, poultry farming, fish farming and household activities.
“Use of surface water will expand and dependence on groundwater will decrease following implementation of the project making possible to provide supplementary irrigation to about 1600 bighas of land per km of canal water,” he said.
“Stored water in re-excavated water bodies will replenish the groundwater table and promote agriculture to enhance food production also improving environment, ecology and biodiversity,” the Project Director said.
During the current financial year, the project has a target of re-excavating 20-km of canals, three beels, 10 ponds, installation of 10 solar power-run LLPs, 10 electricity-run LLPs, 10 solar power-run dug-wells and plantation of 31,000 saplings in the project area.
The chief guest said the river Mora Teesta has been filled up due to non-repair for a long time increasing suffering of the people and damaging crops on the fields in Badarganj upazila.
He directed the authorities concerned to implement the project works maintaining appropriate standards, accountability and transparency.