Water resources minister Anisul Islam Mahmud. Star File Photo.

Water Resources Minister Anisul Islam Mahmud today in parliament said that the government has taken two mega projects worth over Tk 2,898 crore on reconstruction and maintaining of river bank protection across the country.

The country has lost over 1,800 sq km lands due to erosion of Ganga, Jamuna and Padma rivers in last three decades; he stated adding that the government successfully recovered 1,036 sqkm of land through dredging and constructin embankments in the Jamuna and Meghna River.

Tk 1,405 crore has been estimated to carry out excavation of 3,000 km. Besides, 5,850 km embankments will be repaired or reconstructed under the same project, the minister said.

The government will dredge all rivers of the country and canals once the projects are approved by the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council.

The Water Resources Minister said the project "River bank protection in Bangladesh" is aimed to protect river banks and towns across the country.

The estimated budget for the project is Tk 1493 crore.

On the impact of river erosion, Anisul informed the House that over 2,400 km of river banks are threatened with erosion every year.

The minister said rate of intensity of river erosion has come down to 60 Sq km from 100 Sq km per year due to river training measure.

A project titled "Flood and river bank erosion risk management investment programme" involving Tk 828.65 crore is underway for permanent solution of erosion of Padma, Ganga and Jamuna River.

On the setting up the Ganga Barrage, Anisul said drawing up detailed design of the barrage has been completed as per the recommendation of feasibility study of the project.

A Preliminary Development Project Proposal of Ganga Barage Project was sent to the Economic Relations Division to get participation of development partners and DPP of the project is under consideration of the Planning Commission.