After sending an official invitation to hold the next Joint River Commission meeting in Dhaka within the shortest possible time, Bangladesh is now awaiting response of the next-door neighbour.
It is expected that the meeting, postponed in last July by the Indian authorities, will be held shortly.
The pending issues regarding Teesta water-sharing,India’s initiative to construct a dam in Tipaimukh and its plans to develop a National River Linking Project (NRLP) might be discussed at the next meeting, Water Resources Minister Anisul Islam Mahmud told the newsmen at the Secretariat yesterday.
Earlier, Chinese Vice Minister of Water Resources Liu Ning met with the minister. Ning is now visiting Bangladesh to sign a renewal agreement between the two countries on data and information exchange regarding Brahmaputra’s water resources. The Brahmaputra River flows through from China.
The agreement was signed yesterday morning at the state-guest house Meghna in the capital. It will remain effective for the next five years.
Anisul said the probable date of the next JRC meeting will be fixed upon consultation after getting a response from India. “We hope that the new government will consider the importance of the meeting,” he stated.
He said around 65% of the river water that enters Bangladesh from different countries comes through the Brahmaputra River. “So, it is the most important issue for the country.
“We are planning to protect the river and preserve its water. Several initiatives have been taken in this regard. The government will start implementing the projects shortly,” he added.
When asked about the proposed alternative to the Ganges Barrage Project, the minister said: “It is under process. We are working on this. It will be a fruitful project for the country.
“There is no need to acquire land or rehabilitate locals to implement the project. A dam will be built for constructing the barrage on the river bank. As a result, the project will be implemented shortly after the work begins.”
About the rumours that India is planning to implement a national river linking project for the trans-boundary rivers, Anisul said: “There is no any such initiative. As far as I know, they are planning to connect their inter-state rivers. We are keeping an eye on the matter.”
Regarding the Tipaimukh Dam, he said:“If India executes such a project, they will have to face resistance [of the locals] as they will be affected first. But, we are also concerned about it.”
