The Padma Barrage project is expected to be inaugurated in February 2027, according to the Parliamentary Standing Committee on the Ministry of Water Resources.
The committee expressed the expectation at its second meeting at the National Parliament on Wednesday, chaired by its chairman, Mohammad Shofiqul Haque Milon, MP.
The meeting also discussed the national interests involved in the Ganges Water Sharing Treaty with India. It noted that no final decision has been made on whether to continue the existing treaty or renew it, although the process remains underway.
The committee discussed a planned visit to Sujanagar upazila in Pabnadistrict on October 25 as part of its assessment of the Padma Barrage project.
At the outset, the committee confirmed the minutes of its first meeting, subject to corrections. It then reviewed the implementation progress of two projects approved at the previous meeting: erosion control along the Brahmaputra and Jinjiram rivers in Jamalpur district, and riverbank protection along the left bank of the Jamuna, the Old Brahmaputra and the Alai rivers flowing through the district, said a press release of parliament secretariat.
The meeting also received reports on the Barnoi River re-excavation, pollution removal and encroachment prevention project in Rajshahi and Natore districts; the second revised rehabilitation project for polder systems along the Naf River in Ukhiya and Teknaf upazilas of Cox's Bazar to improve Bangladesh-Myanmar border security; and emergency maintenance and rehabilitation works under the Ganges-Kobadak Irrigation Project.
The committee reviewed the implementation progress of these projects in detail.
Committee members, including Water Resources Minister Md Shahiduddin Chowdhury Anee, MP, and State Minister Forhad Hossain Azad, MP, attended the meeting.
Other participants included A E Sultan Mahmud Babu, Mohammad Mazharul Islam, Md Faridul Kabir Talukder, Md Izzatullah, Md Oli Ullah and Md Moshiur Rahman Khan.
The water resources secretary, director generals of various agencies under the ministry, heads of relevant organizations and boards, senior officials and officials of the National Parliament Secretariat also attended the meeting.