Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has launched the re-excavation of the Ulashi canal, locally known as ‘Zia Khal’, in Sharsha upazila of Jashore.
He formally inaugurated the programme on Monday morning by cutting soil with a spade at 11:55 local time. Earlier, he arrived at the site at around 11:42 and unveiled a plaque before offering prayers. The project carries symbolic significance, as it revives a canal originally excavated by his father nearly five decades ago.
Water Resources Minister Md Shahiduddin Chowdhury Anee, State Minister Forhad Hossain Azad, State Minister for Energy and Mineral Resources Aninda Islam Amit, and State Minister for Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Mir Shahe Alam were present.
The canal, about four kilometres long, was originally excavated on 1 November 1976 by former president Ziaur Rahman, the prime minister’s father. It stretches from Ulashi to Jadunathpur and is now being re-excavated by the Bangladesh Water Development Board.
Large numbers of people from Sharsha and nearby areas gathered along the canal from early morning to see the prime minister. Many carried flowers and welcomed him with chants.
Local residents said the re-excavation would help address waterlogging, improve irrigation and support agricultural production in the area.
Among those present was Shahadat Hossain, a labourer who had worked on the original excavation in 1976. He recalled meeting Ziaur Rahman at the time. “He took the spade from me and cut soil with his own hands and lifted it onto my head,” he said.
“Today after 50 years, his son, our Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, came and re-excavated this canal dug by his father. I feel very happy seeing this with my own eyes. It seems Allah has kept me alive to see this day,” he added.
Nearly five decades ago, farmers in the Ulashi area faced severe waterlogging, with large areas of land remaining submerged for much of the year. The original canal was excavated to ease those conditions.
The current initiative is part of a wider programme to restore canals across the country. On 16 March, the prime minister launched excavation and re-excavation work in 54 districts by inaugurating the Sahapara canal project in Kaharol upazila of Dinajpur.
