Commerce, Industries, and Textiles and Jute Minister Khandaker Abdul Muktadir today said the government is giving special emphasis to ensuring irrigation facilities in order to increase agricultural production.

He said many agricultural lands in the Sylhet region remain deprived of additional crop production during the dry season due to a shortage of irrigation water. To address this problem, a canal stretching about six kilometres will be excavated from Jangail to Bolaura, he added.

The minister made the remarks while laying the foundation stone of the project titled “Excavation of Bangshi Khal from Jangail Surma River to Bolaura Jilkar Haor” in Sylhet Sadar upazila today, said a ministry press release.

He said once the canal excavation is completed, nearly 6,000 hectares of agricultural land will come under irrigation coverage. As a result, farmers will get the opportunity to produce additional crops, their income will increase, and the initiative will contribute significantly to boosting the country’s food production, he said.

Muktadir said the newly elected government is committed to implementing the election pledges made to the people. he said within just 21 days of assuming office, the government has already taken initiatives to implement various development programmes.

As part of these initiatives, he said, the Family Card distribution programme has already begun in different parts of the country.

The minister added that the development plans presented to the people before the election will be implemented gradually. Through these initiatives, the government will continue working to improve the living standards of people across the country, including in Sylhet.

Later, the commerce minister formally inaugurated the excavation work of the Bangshi Khal.

Among others, Sylhet Deputy Commissioner Md Sarwar Alam, Sylhet Sadar Upazila Nirbahi Officer Khoshnur Rubaiyat, and local dignitaries were present at the programme.