The government has announced an extensive water resources agenda in the proposed FY2026-27 national budget, placing river restoration, flood protection, canal excavation and the Padma Barrage project at the centre of its strategy for climate resilience, food security and sustainable water management.
In his budget speech, Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury proposed an allocation of Tk 10,533 crore for the Ministry of Water Resources to support river management, irrigation systems and flood-control infrastructure.
River Restoration Drive
As part of efforts to restore ecological balance and revive waterways, the government has undertaken initiatives to free at least one river in each division from illegal encroachment.
Under seven ongoing projects, restoration work is being carried out on eight rivers — Dhaleshwari, Louhajang, Alaikuri, Mogra, Salta, Sutang, Bakkhali and Barnai.
Officials believe the programme will help improve biodiversity, strengthen ecosystems and reduce waterlogging and drainage problems in surrounding areas.
Technology-Based Water Management
The government has introduced a Water Quality Index (WQI) for rivers around Dhaka to strengthen monitoring of river health.
An artificial intelligence and deep learning-based real-time groundwater monitoring dashboard has also been developed to provide continuous information on groundwater levels and support better decision-making on water conservation.
Officials say these initiatives will help modernise Bangladesh’s water management system amid growing environmental and climate challenges.
Nationwide Canal Excavation Programme
The Ministry of Water Resources is implementing a nationwide programme for the excavation and re-excavation of rivers, canals and water reservoirs.
The initiative is linked to the government’s target of excavating 20,000 kilometres of canals, rivers and drainage channels over the next five years.
For FY2026-27, the ministry plans to excavate and re-excavate 680 kilometres of canals, irrigation channels and drainage canals.
A separate project will identify and classify canals across the country and establish a GIS-based database to create a comprehensive digital inventory of Bangladesh’s waterways.
Flood Protection Measures
The budget outlines extensive flood-management works, including the construction, reconstruction and rehabilitation of 309 kilometres of embankments and flood walls.
Plans have also been taken to improve navigability and remove shoals along 484 kilometres of waterways.
Under the government’s ongoing 180-day flood protection programme, construction and rehabilitation work on 292 kilometres of embankments and flood walls is already underway.
Officials expect these measures to strengthen protection against seasonal flooding and improve river transport.
Padma Barrage Project
A major highlight of the budget is the Padma Barrage (Phase-I) Project, which the government describes as a transformative initiative for agriculture, fisheries and water management in the south-western region.
The project, approved by ECNEC, will be implemented from July 2026 to June 2033.
It includes the construction of a 2.1-kilometre-long barrage on the Padma River at Pangsha in Rajbari, along with a hydropower plant and facilities for regulating river water during the dry season.
According to government estimates, the project will store 2.9 billion cubic metres of water annually, help prevent salinity intrusion, restore navigability in several rivers and support irrigation for 2.88 million hectares of agricultural land.
Officials also expect the project to increase annual rice production by 20.39 million tonnes and fish production by 2.34 million tonnes.
The initiative is projected to benefit people in 120 upazilas across 19 districts in four divisions.
Teesta Restoration Initiative
The budget also highlights the need to address reduced water flows in the Teesta and Padma rivers caused by upstream interventions.
To tackle the issue, the government is moving ahead with the Comprehensive Management and Restoration of the Teesta River Project, widely known as the Teesta Master Plan.
The project aims to improve water management, support agriculture and enhance livelihoods in northern Bangladesh.
Water Security at the Core of Development
The proposed budget reflects the government’s growing emphasis on water security as a key pillar of economic development, climate adaptation and environmental sustainability.
From restoring rivers and modernising water monitoring systems to implementing large-scale infrastructure projects such as the Padma Barrage, the government aims to strengthen agricultural production, fisheries, navigation and ecological resilience while securing the country’s long-term water future.
