Prime Minister Tarique Rahman today inaugurated the re-excavation work of the nearly defunct Dharar Khal in Bailor union of Trishal upazila in Mymensingh. After arriving in Trishal by road from Dhaka at around 2:20pm, the prime minister formally opened the programme by unveiling a plaque at the site. He later went down to the canal bank and cut soil with a spade to mark the beginning of the re-excavation work.
The prime minister also planted a palm tree beside the canal. Among those present at the programme were Disaster Management and Relief Minister Asadul Habib Dulu, State Minister for Jute and Textiles Shariful Alam, local lawmaker Mahbubur Rahman Liton and Mymensingh Zilla Parishad Administrator Syed Emran Saleh Prince. The 3.1-kilometre canal was originally excavated by former president Ziaur Rahman on September 6, 1979, but gradually became almost unusable over the years. As part of the government’s canal restoration initiative, Tarique Rahman, son of late president Ziaur Rahman, inaugurated the re-excavation project.
After inspecting the excavation site and planting a sapling, the prime minister addressed local residents from a stage set up beside the canal. Party leaders, activists and supporters welcomed him with loud applause. Women villagers, marginal farmers and children were also seen greeting the prime minister enthusiastically after seeing him from close range.