Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Saturday inaugurated the re-excavation of Dharar Khal, a nearly defunct canal in Bailor Union of Trishal upazila in Mymensingh, as part of the government’s canal restoration programme.
The Prime Minister arrived in Trishal by road from Dhaka at around 2:20 pm amid rain and formally opened the programme by unveiling a plaque at the excavation site.
After the ceremony, he went down to the canal bank and marked the beginning of the work by cutting soil with a spade. He later planted a palm tree beside the canal before inspecting the site.
The 3.1-kilometre canal was originally excavated by former President Ziaur Rahman on 6 September 1979. Over the years, the canal gradually became almost unusable.
As part of the restoration initiative, Tarique Rahman, the son of the late president, launched the re-excavation work aimed at reviving the waterway.
Following the inspection, the Prime Minister addressed local residents from a stage beside the canal. Party leaders, activists and supporters welcomed him with loud applause, while women villagers, marginal farmers and children gathered to greet him and watch the programme from close range.
Among those present were Disaster Management and Relief Minister Asadul Habib Dulu, State Minister for Jute and Textiles Shariful Alam, local lawmaker Mahbubur Rahman Liton and Mymensingh Zilla Parishad Administrator Syed Emran Saleh Prince.
