The government has given formal approval to the long debated Padma Barrage Project, endorsing an initial investment of Tk 34347 crore to move forward with the scheme.
The decision was taken on Wednesday at a meeting of the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council held at the Secretariat and chaired by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman.
In addition to the barrage, eight other development projects were cleared at the session. Planned for Pangsha in Rajbari district, the barrage is designed to tackle dry season water shortages in the Padma River, restore river flow in the south western region and improve overall water and environmental management. Project documents indicate the structure will be capable of storing around 2900 million cubic metres of water.
Authorities say the project will help regulate water flow between January and May in several key river systems, including the Ichhamati Mathabhanga, Gorai Madhumati, Chandana Barasia, Boral and Ichhamati rivers. It is also expected to secure water supply for the Godagari Pump House, the Ganges Kobadak irrigation scheme and the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant.
Once operational, the barrage is projected to support irrigation across approximately 2.88 million hectares of cultivable land in districts such as Kushtia, Faridpur, Jashore, Khulna, Barishal, Pabna and Rajshahi.
The plan includes generation of 113 megawatts of hydropower and the use of the barrage deck as a multi purpose corridor carrying roads, power transmission lines and gas pipelines.
According to the proposal, the improved water management system could raise annual rice production by 2.39 million tonnes and fish output by 234000 tonnes.
The overall project cost was initially estimated at Tk 50443.64 crore. However, the Project Evaluation Committee advised implementing the scheme in phases and proposed Tk 34497 crore for the first stage.
After further review, ECNEC approved Tk 34347 crore for the first phase, to be financed entirely from government funds. Officials have set a tentative completion target of June 2033.
Environmental group Bangladesh Poribesh Andolon has expressed concern about advancing the project without what it described as transparent studies and public consultations on its potential impacts and benefits.
PT/ra
