Farmers pin hope on Sagarkhali project

People brought out a procession at Amlain Kushtia recently hailing the government's approval of the Sagarkhhali-Barabila Basin Project. PHOTO: STAR

Jubilant farmers, joined by others, brought out a procession in Amla in Kushtia hailing the decision that will fulfil the long cherished desire of about 10 lakh farmers in four districts including Jhenidah, Chuadanga and Magura.

Work on the project has already started. It is scheduled to be completed next year.

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Two kilometres of embankment and for big sluice gates will be constructed under the project in Mirpur upazila in Kushtia.

This will make about 16,000 hectares of land flood-free in Mirpur, Daulatpur and Bheramara in Kushtia, and Shreepur and Sadar upazila in Magura districts.

More 41,000 hectares of land will be brought under Irri-Boro cultivation under GK project in the four districts.

The past Awami League government had formed a committee in December1998 for a feasibility study on the project. The committee submitted a report in 1999 recommending construction of the project.

AED (Agriculture Extension Department) sources here said additional 2.8 lakh tonnes of food grains will be produced every year once the project is completed.

"We had long been waiting for the project as this will stop flooding", said farmer Akbar Ali at Amla.