A memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed today between the Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB) and Bangladesh Army’s 24 Engineer Construction Brigade to address the longstanding waterlogging problem in the Bhobdaha region in Jashore and Khulna districts.

The signing ceremony was held at the BWDB headquarters in Panthapath here, an environment ministry’s press release said here Today.

B.M. Abdul Momin, Superintendant Engineer of Jashore Water Development Circle, Khulna, and Project Director signed the MoU on behalf of BWDB while Lt. Col. Mamun Ur Rashid, Project Director, 24 Engineer Construction Brigade on behalf of the Bangladesh Army.

Under the project, a total of 81.5 kilometers of five rivers will be re-excavated. They are- Harihar River (35 km), Hari-Teligati River (20 km), Upper Bhadra River (18.5 km), Teka River (7 km), and Shree Nadi (1 km).

The cost of the project has been estimated at Taka 13,998.19 lakh. In line with government directives, the Bangladesh Army will implement the project through the “Delegated Procurement” method.

Alongside dredging, the project will improve drainage systems, properly manage excavated soil for use as local roads, and ensure environment friendly re-excavation through turfing and tree plantation.

Speaking on the occasion, BWDB Director General Engineer Md. Enayet Ullah said that the present interim government has taken special initiatives to resolve the waterlogging problem in Bhabodaha.

He added that BWDB and the Bangladesh Army will jointly implement, supervise, and monitor the project, which is expected to bring significant relief to the region once completed.

Md. Aminul Islam, Additional Chief Engineer, South-West Region, BWDB, Khulna, Lt. Col. Tanvir Ahmed, Staff Officer-1 (Planning), 24 Engineer Construction Brigade, Palash Kumar Banerjee, Executive Engineer, Jashore Water Development Division, BWDB and Major Gazi Nazmul Hasan, Project Officer, 24 Engineer Construction Brigade were present at the event.