All preparations have been completed at Patli Canal in Cox’s Bazar’s PMkhali area ahead of the visit of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, who is scheduled to inaugurate the re-excavation of the historic waterway on Saturday.
Residents of the area are now awaiting the prime minister’s arrival for the programme centred on the canal, which is closely associated with the memory of former president Ziaur Rahman.
A visit to the site on Friday showed extensive preparations for the inauguration ceremony and a public gathering. A stage has been constructed beside the canal, while the venue has been decorated and security measures strengthened.
According to the official schedule, the prime minister is expected to formally inaugurate the re-excavation work at 10:00 am on Saturday.
The event carries particular historical significance, as the inauguration is set to take place at the same location where Ziaur Rahman, then president of Bangladesh, personally launched the canal excavation project with a spade in November 1979.
Following the inauguration, the prime minister is expected to address a brief public meeting organised beside the canal. The organisers confirmed that they had already completed all arrangements for the event.
Historical accounts indicate that Ziaur Rahman initiated the excavation of the Patli Canal to improve irrigation facilities and reduce waterlogging in the area. The project remains a memorable chapter in the local community’s history.
During the original inauguration, he also planted a date palm beside the canal. Nearly five decades later, the tree still stands at the site, serving as a reminder of that initiative.
Local residents said the renewed excavation project had generated fresh optimism among farmers and community members. They expect the restoration of the canal’s navigability to improve irrigation, drainage, and agricultural productivity across the surrounding areas.
Several cabinet members and state ministers arrived in Cox’s Bazar on Friday ahead of the prime minister’s visit, according to local organisers.
The upcoming visit has created a festive atmosphere throughout PMkhali, with residents viewing the canal restoration project as more than an infrastructure initiative.
‘The re-excavation of Patli Canal is not only a development project; it is also the revival of an important part of our local history and heritage,’ said a local resident.
By Abdur Rashid Manik
Photo: Abdur Rashid Manik
