Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Wednesday informed Parliament that a survey for implementing the Teesta Master Plan has already been completed by the Bangladesh Water Development Board.
Responding to a question from opposition MP Md Mazedur Rahman of Gaibandha-1, the Prime Minister said the study recommends dredging around 110 kilometres of the Teesta River as part of the proposed plan.
He added that the recommendations also include dredging sections of the river flowing through Gaibandha-1 constituency.
Highlighting the importance of the Teesta, the Prime Minister said the river plays a vital role in the livelihoods of people in northern Bangladesh, though its geographical nature presents significant challenges.
During the monsoon season, excessive rainfall often leads to sudden floods and riverbank erosion in the region. In contrast, water levels drop sharply during the dry season, sometimes nearing zero in certain areas, he noted.
He further explained that heavy sediment flow during the rainy season causes silt accumulation, which leads the river to split into multiple channels, complicating water management efforts.
In this context, the Bangladesh Water Development Board carried out the survey to assess the feasibility of implementing the Teesta Master Plan.
The Prime Minister said the technical and financial aspects of the feasibility study are currently being examined at different levels.
“Once the evaluation is completed and the project is found technically viable, a timeline for implementation will be set,” he told the House.
The parliamentary session was chaired by Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad.
