Water Resources Minister Shahiduddin Chowdhury Annie announced that Prime Minister Tarique Rahman will visit Sylhet on May 2 to inaugurate the dredging of the Bashia River and the nationwide launch of 'Natun Kuri Sports'. The minister made the statement while inspecting the Bashia River at Mashukganj Bazar in Sylhet Sadar upazila on Friday. Local officials and party leaders were present during the visit.

According to the minister, the Bashia River dredging project spans three upazilas and is one of the largest excavation projects in the Sylhet region. The initiative aims to address long-standing waterlogging and enhance agricultural productivity. The riverbed had become silted over time, disrupting water flow and causing seasonal flooding and water shortages.

Officials expect the project to bring about significant benefits, including irrigation coverage for around 30,000 acres of farmland, an increase of about 10,000 metric tons in fish production, and protection of nearby communities from flooding and waterlogging.