PM vows to fast-track Padma, Teesta barrages

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Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has pledged to accelerate plans to build barrages on the Padma and Teesta rivers to address water shortages and support farmers.

Speaking at a BNP rally at Haji Muhammad Mohsin Government High School in Rajshahi on Tuesday, he said the Padma barrage would benefit people in around 14 districts, including Rajshahi.

Tarique said the government would hold discussions with those responsible for the water crisis to secure Bangladesh’s fair share of river water. He added that the projects would move forward, with people in Rajshahi expected to benefit first, followed by surrounding areas.

The prime minister urged people to support the BNP for another five years, saying his government wanted to build the barrages, support farmers through farmer cards and provide Family Cards to women.

Tarique arrived in Rajshahi from Rangpur at 2:55pm as part of a three-city tour during Durga Puja. He distributed Tk 120 million among 38,970 sugarcane farmers in the region and visited a puja pavilion at Rajshahi Dharmasabha before leaving for Chattogram.

It was his first visit to Rajshahi since becoming prime minister.