Rajshahi, Sept 21 (V7N) – A seven-kilometre canal in Jhikra Union of Bagmara upazila in Rajshahi has been re-excavated at a cost of Tk 1 crore 80 lakh, helping address longstanding waterlogging while improving irrigation opportunities for farmers during the dry season.

The re-excavation project was launched on May 2 and completed on June 25 following a 40-day programme. The project covered seven kilometres of the canal in Jhikra Union.

Project officials said the canal was re-excavated in accordance with government guidelines, with the bottom widened to 12 feet, a depth of 10 feet maintained and the upper portion widened to 30 feet. Of the total project allocation, Tk 89 lakh was earmarked for workers’ wages.

According to the office responsible for implementing the project, Tk 23 lakh in unspent funds from the workers’ wage allocation was returned to the government treasury after completion of the excavation. The remaining funds were distributed among workers in accordance with government regulations, project officials said.

However, allegations of irregularities have also emerged locally over the canal re-excavation project. A recently published report raised questions about project expenditure, workers’ wages and the extent of excavation work. Complainants alleged that irregularities occurred during implementation and that some workers were deprived of wages they were entitled to. They also said they had submitted a written complaint to the authorities.

Project implementation officer Nur-e-Shefa rejected the allegations as motivated, saying every stage of the project had been carried out in accordance with government guidelines. She said the unspent funds were returned to the government treasury after the work was completed.

Project officials maintained that the canal was excavated according to the prescribed width and depth. They said part of the allocated funds remained unspent and was therefore returned to the treasury, while workers were paid according to the applicable rules.

Meanwhile, local farmers say they have already begun to see the benefits of the re-excavation. Residents said several areas previously experienced waterlogging even after light rainfall, leaving agricultural land uncultivated. The re-excavated canal is now expected to improve drainage while retaining water during the dry season, creating additional irrigation opportunities for farmers.

Azadul Islam, a farmer from Jhikra village who also worked on the excavation project, said the canal re-excavation had brought positive changes for farmers. He said he worked as a labourer on the project and, like many other workers, received his wages.

Din Islam, organisational secretary of the Jhikra Union unit of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), said areas that previously remained waterlogged are now draining more effectively, allowing farmers to cultivate their land more easily.

Mobarak Hossain Manju, chairman of the Jhikra Canal Re-excavation Project, said the initiative had helped local residents address longstanding waterlogging problems. He said agricultural land that previously remained uncultivated because of poor drainage could now be brought back under cultivation.

Local residents said the seven-kilometre canal re-excavation could provide long-term benefits to agriculture in Jhikra Union. Improved drainage and irrigation facilities are expected to help bring previously uncultivated land under farming and potentially reduce production costs for local farmers.

END/MRA/SMA/