State Minister for Water Resources Farhad Hossain Azad on Friday visited the historic Patli Canal in PMkhali, Cox’s Bazar, a site closely associated with the legacy of former president Ziaur Rahman.
The minister visited the canal at around 12:00 pm and inspected its condition. During the visit, he also posed for photographs beneath a date palm tree reportedly planted by Ziaur Rahman himself.
He was accompanied by Cox’s Bazar-3 lawmaker Lutfur Rahman Kazal, who briefed him on the area’s history, heritage, and development potential.
Speaking during the visit, Farhad Hossain Azad said that one of the government’s election commitments was to excavate, re-excavate, and restore 20,000 kilometres of rivers, canals, and other water bodies across the country.
“We have already made significant progress towards that goal,” he said, adding that the government was implementing various projects to restore rivers and canals and ensure the uninterrupted flow of water.
He said many rivers, canals, and wetlands were gradually disappearing and stressed the need to restore these water bodies and preserve their water resources.
“Historic canals and waterways that are important to local communities will also receive due attention,” he said.
Local residents expressed hope that re-excavation and restoration of the Patli Canal would help increase agricultural production, reduce waterlogging, and contribute to environmental conservation.
According to local sources, former president Ziaur Rahman launched a nationwide canal excavation programme in 1977 aimed at strengthening agricultural production, irrigation facilities, and the rural economy of Bangladesh.
Cox’s Bazar Life Report
Photo: Courtesy
