Water Resources Minister Md. Shahiduddin Chowdhury Annie announced that prolonged suspension of canal excavation has worsened public suffering due to irrigation shortages and waterlogging across Bangladesh. Speaking at an inter-ministerial meeting at the Secretariat on Tuesday, he said the government will take all necessary measures for public welfare and directed relevant ministries to submit action plans within three days to make the canal excavation program visible and effective.

The minister emphasized sustainable excavation, livelihood support, biodiversity conservation, and modern waste management strategies. State Minister Azad stated that under the government’s electoral pledge, 20,000 kilometers of canals will be excavated and 50 million trees planted over the next five years, with the Water Resources Ministry leading implementation. He called for a coordinated work plan for the current and upcoming fiscal years.

The meeting was attended by state ministers from the agriculture, food, fisheries, local government, and disaster management ministries, which will jointly execute the program.