Own Correspondent, Satkania: As a result of re-excavation of the canal, the water in the agricultural fields inundated by floods and hill slides will go down quickly. There will be revolutionary changes in agriculture. However, the quality of work of the contractors must be done according to the schedule, no nine-sixes can be obtained. If there is any irregularity, the work will be stopped. The local chairman and the people together will supervise the work regularly. Apart from this, arrangements will be made to construct the road on the banks of the canal to facilitate the easy marketing of the vegetables produced by the farmers, he said.
Bangladesh Agricultural Development Corporation (BADC) inaugurated the 3 km re-excavation of Mahalia Canal flowing over Bajalia Union of Satkania as part of the Irrigation Improvement Project through use of surface water in Chittagong and Cox’s Bazar districts at Mahalia Govt Primary School Grounds in Bajalia Union of Satkania Upazila on Friday (March 23). State Minister of Labor and Employment Bir Muktijoddha Nazrul Islam Chowdhury made this comment in the speech of the chief guest.
BADC Chittagong Region Executive Engineer Fatema Akhtar Jeni presided over the event as special guests, Satkania Upazila Executive Officer (UNO) Milton Biswas, union parishad chairmen Tapas Kanti Dutta, AFM Mahabubul Haque Sikdar, Ochman Ali and Nashir Uddin Tipu.
BADC Dohazari Zone Assistant Engineer Belal Hossain, among others, Awami League leader Master Mohammad Yunuch, Hakim Ali, Osman Gani Shikdar, OFM Ataul Haque, Master Md. Mohiuddin, Nazim Uddin, Jubo League leader Zahirul Islam, Habib Ahmad Mansoor, Upazila Chhatra League president Md. Ali, former district Chhatra League leader Aminul Islam Amin and Abul Kalam, along with local farmers and Awami League leaders gave speeches.
Bangladesh Agricultural Development Corporation (BADC) Chittagong Executive Engineer Fatema Akhter Jeni said, the cost of re-excavating the 3 km area of Mahalia Canal has been estimated at 37 lakh taka. Excavation should be completed within 90 days of commencement of work. The canal will be excavated as per 10 meters wide and regular depth of the canal. The excavation work will be completed by M/s Khawaja Enterprises, a contracting firm of Comilla district.
He also said that more than 1,000 hectares of agricultural land will be irrigated with Mahalia canal water. Hill slopes and flood water will be discharged quickly. There is no scope for irregularities in excavation.
