Teesta Mega Project work will start in Nov 2027: Minister Farhad

LALMONIRHAT, Oct 29: The government plans to formally launch work on the long-awaited Teesta Mega Project in November 2027 after completing the necessary procedures, State Minister for Water Resources Farhad Hossain Azad, MP, said on Thursday.

Speaking to local journalists after inspecting the Mahendranagar drainage canal in Lalmonirhat Sadar Upazila, Azad said technical discussions on the project had already taken place with a neighbouring country, while a high-level technical committee comprising river experts was working on the plan.

The feasibility study is also nearing completion, he said, adding that progress toward approval could advance after the finance minister returns.

Azad said domestic and international experts are being consulted to finalise the project’s comprehensive blueprint. Their input includes specialists from the Center for Environmental and Geographic Information Services (CEGIS), the National River Conservation Commission and BUET, as well as experts from China, the Netherlands and Malaysia.

The government will incorporate their recommendations into the project’s development proposal, he said.
Azad said another eight to nine months may be needed to determine the best approach to implementation and ensure maximum benefits for local communities. 

The project is expected to improve living conditions for nearly 3 crore people across five northern districts - Lalmonirhat, Gaibandha, Kurigram, Nilphamari and Rangpur, Azad said.

He also said Prime Minister is scheduled to inaugurate the Mahendranagar drainage canal on November 19. Once operational, the canal is expected to provide direct irrigation benefits to thousands of local residents. Authorities also plan to plant trees along both banks of the canal, he said.

District administration officials, including Deputy Commissioner Md Rashedul Haque Pradhan, Superintendent of Police Asaduzzaman, Zilla Parishad Administrator AKM Mominul Haque, Bangladesh Water Development Board Executive Officer Sunil Kumar and Sadar UNO Mononita Das, attended the inspection.