Teesta Mega Plan Pilot Project to Begin Soon: State Minister

State Minister for Water Resources Farhad Hossain Azad has said a technical committee has begun working to implement the Teesta Mega Plan, while experts from different countries are also being consulted. The plan will be launched as a pilot project within a short time, he said.
The State Minister made the remarks while speaking to journalists at the Chilmari Port area in Kurigram on Saturday afternoon. Earlier, he inspected several erosion-hit areas along rivers in Chilmari, Ulipur, Roumari and Rajibpur upazilas.
Regarding the Teesta project, Farhad Hossain said it is a large-scale initiative that cannot be implemented overnight. “Our government is only five months old. Give us some time. We will start the Teesta Mega Plan as a pilot project soon,” he said.
On river erosion in Kurigram, he said two projects have been undertaken to build permanent embankments and prevent erosion. Emergency work is also underway at around 100 erosion-prone locations across the district.
He said there would be no political consideration in tackling river erosion and that work was being carried out at the field level in coordination with local MPs and the administration under the Prime Minister’s directives.
After completing his Kurigram programme, the State Minister is scheduled to visit a World Bank-funded project in Gaibandha.