REJAUL KARIM BYRON

The government is set to implement the much-anticipated Padma barrage project at an initial cost of Tk 33,474 crore, aimed at reviving five major river systems and storing 2,900 million cubic metres of water in the Padma river.

The project, to be executed in two phases by 2033, will require a total investment of nearly Tk 50,443 crore.

Covering about 37 percent of Bangladesh’s land area, spanning 26 districts and 163 upazilas across four divisions, the Padma-dependent region has long suffered from water shortages due to upstream diversions.

The barrage is expected to be a game-changer for agriculture, fisheries, biodiversity, and economic growth.

The project gained momentum after a meeting on May 6 with Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, where he highlighted the project’s potential impact on GDP and gave directives for its implementation.

The feedback was incorporated and the proposal for the first phase is set to be placed before the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council on Wednesday for approval.

The first phase would be paid from the government’s own funds and it includes the construction of the 2.1km-long Padma barrage at Pangsha in Rajbari district.

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