Illegal canal encroachments to be cleared, says Water Resources Minister

Water Resources Minister Md Shahiduddin Chowdhury Anee on Wednesday announced that canals occupied illegally will be reclaimed as part of a broader government initiative to restore water bodies and improve drainage systems.

The minister made the remarks while visiting Dhaka's Keraniganj to review re-excavation work on the Shubhadhya and Ati canals, along with embankment protection efforts.

State Minister for Water Resources Forhad Hossain Azad accompanied him during the inspection.

Anee said the government is committed to removing unlawful structures from canal banks and will undertake tree plantation and beautification programmes to safeguard the recovered areas.

He added that necessary infrastructure would be developed to ensure proper excavation, conservation and long-term maintenance of canals.

Highlighting the issue of pollution, the minister said coordinated action would be taken with the Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Ministry to introduce modern waste management systems and prevent dumping into canals nationwide.

He noted that excavation and restoration efforts are already underway under ongoing projects, and additional priority-based initiatives will be launched across the country. Work on the Shubhadhya and Ati canals is expected to be completed soon, followed by a second-phase project aimed at maintaining river connectivity and ensuring smooth water flow.

Referring to a government pledge, Anee said a five-year programme has been announced to excavate and re-excavate 20,000 kilometres of canals, ponds and other water bodies, alongside biodiversity conservation and improved waste management.

State Minister Azad said the initiative would enhance irrigation for agriculture, restore river navigability and reduce waterlogging in urban and rural areas.

During the visit, the delegation inspected several points along the Shubhadhya Canal, including Khejur Bagh, Jora Bridge and Chunkutia, as well as the Joynagar area of the Ati Canal.

Dhaka-2 lawmaker Aman Ullah Aman, Keraniganj Upazila Nirbahi Officer Md Omar Faruk and BNP leader Nipun Roy Chowdhury, among others, were also present at that time.