Bangladesh Army will re-excavate 81.5 kilometres across five rivers to address the longstanding water logging problem in the Bhobdaha region stretching in Jashore and Khulna.

To this end, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been signed between the Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB) and the Bangladesh Army’s 24 Engineer Construction Brigade, reads a press release.

The signing ceremony was held on Monday at the BWDB headquarters in Panthapath, Dhaka.

On behalf of BWDB, the MoU was signed by B.M. Abdul Momin, Superintending Engineer of Jashore Water Development Circle, Khulna, and Project Director.

On behalf of the Bangladesh Army, it was signed by Lt Col Mamun Ur Rashid, Project Director, 24 Engineer Construction Brigade.

The five rivers include the Harihar River (35 km), Hari-Teligati River (20 km), Upper Bhadra River (18.5 km), Teka River (7 km), and Shree River (1 km).

In line with government directives, the Bangladesh Army will implement the project with an estimated cost of Tk13,998.19 lakh through the “Delegated Procurement” method.

Alongside dredging, the project will improve drainage systems, properly manage excavated soil for use as local roads, and ensure environmentally 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 in Bhobdaha.

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.

Also present at the event were 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.