Feasibility Study for Teesta Master Plan to Be Completed Swiftly to Launch Project: Minister of Water Resources

Photo: Collected

The feasibility study for the Teesta Master Plan will be completed as quickly as possible to begin implementation of the long-awaited project, Bangladesh's Water Resources Minister Md. Shahiduddin Chowdhury Annie has said.

Speaking to the media before departing Beijing following an official visit to China, the minister outlined the outcomes of the visit, particularly discussions on water resources cooperation between Bangladesh and China.

He said China has agreed to support a feasibility study for the Teesta project.

"China has agreed to a feasibility study on the Teesta. We will complete the study jointly," the minister said.

He added that Bangladesh also sought China's cooperation in the comprehensive management of other rivers across the country.

"We have requested China's assistance for the management of several other rivers as well. Since China has connections with many of these rivers, we will work together to coordinate those issues," he said.

Referring to China's commitment on the Teesta project, the minister said the government would make its own decision promptly based on the study.

"Very soon we will present the Teesta development plan to the people. We are giving special attention so that work on the project can begin within the current budget, Inshallah," he said.

Recalling Prime Minister Tarique Rahman's meeting with China's Minister of Water Resources, Shahiduddin Chowdhury Annie said the Teesta issue was discussed on multiple occasions during the visit.

"Our Prime Minister raised the Teesta issue several times, including in meetings with the President of China and the Chinese Premier," he said.

According to the minister, the meeting was attended by China's Minister of Water Resources, members of the Bangladeshi delegation, ministers, and advisers accompanying Prime Minister Tarique Rahman.

"Following discussions among all delegates, it was agreed that decisive action is urgently needed to address the long-standing hardships faced by hundreds of thousands of people living in the Teesta basin. A technical assistance programme is necessary, and China has agreed to support a feasibility study," he added.

The minister also highlighted the longstanding friendship between Bangladesh and China.

"Bangladesh and China have enjoyed a strong friendship for decades. The relationship was established in 1976 under the leadership of the late President Ziaur Rahman, who visited China twice during his lifetime. Later, former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia visited China seven times, further strengthening bilateral ties. China values this enduring relationship, and we highly honour it as well," he said.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman visited Malaysia before travelling to China on an official tour. During his four-day visit to China, he spent two days in the city of Dalian attending the World Economic Forum meeting before arriving in Beijing on Wednesday afternoon.

In Beijing, the Prime Minister held bilateral talks with Chinese Premier Li Qiang, followed by bilateral and one-on-one meetings with Chinese President Xi Jinping. He also met Chinese Minister of Water Resources Li Guoying.

In addition, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman met Zhao Leji, Chairman of the Standing Committee of China's National People's Congress. All of the high-level meetings took place at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.

Members of the Prime Minister's delegation included Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman, Water Resources Minister Md. Shahiduddin Chowdhury Annie, Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapan, State Minister for Power and Energy Anindya Islam Amit, State Minister for Civil Aviation Rashiduzzaman Millat, and advisers Humayun Kabir, Brig. Gen. (Retd.) Dr. AKM Shamsul Islam, Rashed Al Mahmud Titumir, and Mahadi Amin.