The government is overhauling Bangladesh’s river and water management system to address the country’s chronic problem of seasonal water extremes, with too much water during one part of the year and scarcity during another, Prime Minister’s Adviser on Finance and Planning Dr Rashed Al Mahmud Titumir said on Sunday.
“Bangladesh’s core problem in water management is that during one part of the season there is too much water, while at another time water becomes scarce. The government is working to overcome this situation and find a solution,” he said while speaking at a seminar titled “Transboundary Water Sharing Issues and the Padma Barrage”, organized by North South University.
Titumir said the government is working on how and when water can be conserved, with the Padma Barrage project set to play a major role in that effort.
"Water management of the Padma basin is not merely an engineering issue; it is directly tied to the lives, livelihoods and development of tens of millions of people. Alongside ensuring the natural flow of water, we must also conserve water for the dry season," he said.
A sustainable solution to the Ganges-Padma water-sharing issue is possible only based on mutual interest between upstream and downstream populations, the adviser observed.
Noting that the upstream country is availing greater benefits, he said Bangladesh is being harmed in various ways due to water withdrawal during the dry season.
The Padma Barrage project, Titumir said, is being implemented to meet the aspirations of nearly 7 crore people across 24 districts in the country's southwestern region.
He called on India to ensure a fair and equitable share of water for Bangladesh.
The adviser said the conserved water will be used to reduce salinity in the southwestern region and keep river flows active.
The government-approved project, worth Tk347 crore, prioritizes water conservation and river restoration, he added.
Speaking at the event, Prime Minister’s Special Assistant on Environment, Forest and Climate Change Saimum Parvez said the government will not sign any agreement that compromises national interest.
He added that despite differing ideologies, all stakeholders remain united when it comes to the country's needs.
