Ganges Barrage project at Pangsa scrapped

Secretariat Correspondent: Water Resources Minister Anisul Islam Mahmud said, "The proposed project of construction of Ganges Barrage at Pangsa in Rajbari has been scrapped. A high-powered technical committee would be formed soon to find out other options to construct the Barrage."

The minister came up with the announcement at a press conference at Bangladesh Secretariat after a meeting with Chinese delegation led by water resources minister of China on Wednesday.

Anisul said, "There is no disagreement with the Ganges Barrage project. But there is doubt over its design. A high-powered technical committee would be formed soon to find out other options to construct the Barrage."

We have to ensure optimum utilisation of waters we are receiving under Ganges treaty with India in 1996. The high-powered technical committee will inform after scrutinising the issue, he said.

Asked about the timeframe of the formation of the committee, Anisul said, "The committee would be formed soon."

A Chinese state-run firm, appointed over the issue is carrying out detailed technical and financial feasibility studies, the minister said.

The government earlier planned the construction of the Ganges Barrage at Pangsha between 2014 and 2020 at a cost of $4 billion. The construction cost already escalated to $5 billion as the government was awaiting India’s consent for it, said water resources ministry officials presented at the press conference.

risingbd/Dhaka/Apr 12, 2017/Noimuddin/Amirul