MUNSHIGANJ, June 19: State Minister for Local Government and Rural Development (LGRD) Mir Shahe Alam on Friday described canal dredging as one of the government's priority programmes, as dredging and an eviction drive against illegal encroachments began on the historic Nayan's Canal in Munshiganj's Mirkadim municipality.
Speaking while inspecting the work, the state minister said the government has attached special importance to restoring canals alongside implementing initiatives such as family cards, farmers' cards, allowances for imams and muezzins, health cards, education and employment programmes, sports promotion, and tree plantation.
He said local residents claimed the canal had not been dredged or cleaned for the past 24 to 25 years. The issue was brought to the government's attention by Munshiganj-3 MP Md Kamruzzaman Ratan.
Although Nayan's Canal was already included in the government's nationwide canal and river dredging programme, authorities decided to prioritise the project due to the canal's deteriorating condition, he said.
He said the local administration has already prepared a list of encroachers, and eviction operations have started alongside the dredging work.
The government also plans to build retaining walls, guide walls and footpaths on both sides of the canal to improve its appearance and ensure uninterrupted water flow throughout the year, he added.
Mir Shahe Alam said the project would be completed within a short time under the supervision of MP Kamruzzaman Ratan.
Among those present during the inspection were MP Md Kamruzzaman Ratan, Deputy Commissioner Syeda Nurmahal Ashrafi, Superintendent of Police Md Menhajul Alam PPM, District Council Administrator AKM Eradat Manu, Sadar Upazila Nirbahi Officer Md Masudur Rahman, and officials from different government departments.
