Nationwide canal excavation to start within 180 days, says Water Resources Minister Annie

A nationwide canal excavation programme will begin within 180 days, Water Resources Minister Shahid Uddin Chowdhury Annie said on Friday, 20 February 2026, as the government finalises an implementation plan aimed at improving drainage, irrigation and water management across the country.

Speaking to journalists after a coordination meeting at the Lakshmipur Circuit House with the district administration, police and Water Development Board (WDB) officials, Shahid Uddin Chowdhury Annie said the project’s detailed rollout framework and excavation schedule are being set to ensure disciplined execution. He said the initiative aligns with cabinet instructions issued by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, which include maintaining momentum in regional development alongside public service delivery priorities.

The minister said the prime minister has directed the cabinet to focus on strengthening law and order, stabilising prices of essential commodities ahead of Ramadan and ensuring uninterrupted progress on development programmes nationwide. He said the Water Resources Ministry is working to implement the directives while advancing water infrastructure actions that support agriculture, public safety and local economies.

In Lakshmipur, Shahid Uddin Chowdhury Annie said the Bhulua River and the Rahmat Khali Canal will be prioritised for excavation to improve local drainage capacity and irrigation flow. He also said river erosion in the district will be addressed through a phased prevention strategy, adding that the government will proceed with planned improvements to local road connectivity as part of broader infrastructure commitments.

At the Circuit House, the minister was received by District Commissioner SM Mehedi Hasan and Superintendent of Police Abu Tareq, and a formal guard of honour was held. Shahid Uddin Chowdhury Annie, who also serves as joint secretary general of the BNP, later met party leaders and activists, while the official meeting included senior local officials, including Md Jasim Uddin, deputy director of local government and municipal administrator of Lakshmipur.