PM opens Tk 1,542cr Feni flood control project today 

FENI, Sept 30: Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is scheduled to visit Feni today, Thursday, where he will inaugurate a Tk1,542.16 crore flood-control and water-management project and attend a series of programmes in Parshuram and Fulgazi upazilas. 

According to the official itinerary, the Prime Minister will inaugurate the first phase of the rehabilitation of the Muhuri-Kahua Flood Control, Drainage and Irrigation Project in Parshuram before moving to Fulgazi for a tree-planting programme, the launch of electricity supply to the national grid from a rooftop solar system, and the distribution of Family Cards and Farmer Cards.

The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) approved the first-phase rehabilitation project on June 16 at an estimated cost of Tk1,542.16 crore. The project is scheduled for completion by 2030.

Under the project, 67.92 kilometres of flood-control embankments will be rehabilitated, 11.73 kilometres of riverbanks protected and 83.50 kilometres of rivers and water bodies re-excavated. The project also includes rehabilitation of 27 irrigation structures and construction of 77 inlets.

The project covers Parshuram, Fulgazi, Feni Sadar and Chagalnaiya upazilas and is aimed at strengthening flood protection, drainage and irrigation infrastructure in the area.

Day-long itinerary
According to a letter signed by Md Uzzal Hossain, Protocol Officer-1 at the Prime Minister’s Office, Tarique Rahman will leave his residence in Dhaka by road at 8:30am and is scheduled to reach the Ghatchhar-Muhuri Bridge area of Parshuram at around 12:30pm.

There, he will inaugurate the rehabilitation work under the first phase of the Muhuri-Kahua project and exchange greetings with local people.

At around 1:15pm, the prime minister will leave Parshuram for Begum Khaleda Zia Women’s College in Fulgazi, where he is scheduled to participate in a tree-planting programme at about 1:30pm.

He will then go to the Fulgazi District Council Dak Bungalow at around 2pm and inaugurate the operation to supply electricity to the national grid from the rooftop solar power system installed there. The system has been reported to have a capacity of 249 kilowatts.

The prime minister will subsequently take a break at the Dak Bungalow before attending the main public programme at Fulgazi Government Pilot High School ground in the afternoon.

At the programme, scheduled for around 3pm, Family Cards and Farmer Cards will be distributed. Honorariums will also be provided to mosque imams, muezzins and khadims, as well as people working at other religious institutions.

Extensive preparations have been made in Parshuram and Fulgazi ahead of the Prime Minister’s visit.

At Ghatchhar along the Muhuri River in Parshuram, workers have been preparing the venue for the project inauguration and public gathering. A temporary helipad has also been constructed at Parshuram Pilot High School ground.

The stage, inauguration plaque and other necessary infrastructure at the venue are nearing completion. Arrangements are also being made to ensure safe drinking water and sanitation facilities for people attending the programme.

The Department of Public Health Engineering is installing water tanks and portable toilets at the venue, while cleaning and other preparatory activities are underway in the surrounding areas.

The Roads and Highways Department has carried out repairs and maintenance at several points along the Feni-Parshuram regional road to facilitate safe and uninterrupted movement during the visit. Similar preparatory work has been undertaken along the Parshuram-Suvar Bazar road near the public gathering venue.

Beautification and other preparatory work are also continuing at Fulgazi Government Pilot High School ground and other important locations.

The Prime Minister’s Feni visit was originally scheduled for September 17, but it was postponed and subsequently rescheduled for October 1.

After completing his programmes, Tarique Rahman is scheduled to leave Feni by road at around 5pm for Dhaka and is expected to reach the capital at about 9pm.