The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) has approved the Tk 33,474.45 crore Padma Barrage project at its third meeting since the BNP took office.
The decision was taken during a session presided over by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman at the Secretariat on Wednesday, the Ministry of Planning said.
The mega project marks the beginning of the government’s large-scale infrastructure initiatives aimed at addressing dry-season water shortages and improving environmental conditions in the southwest region.
The project is scheduled for implementation from July 2026 to June 2033 with an estimated cost of Tk 33,474.45 crore.
The Bangladesh Water Development Board will oversee the project, which will be fully funded by the government.
On May 6, Water Resources Minister Shahiduddin Chowdhury Anee said the technical study and feasibility survey for the Padma Barrage were nearly complete.
After a meeting with Tarique that day, he told reporters that a decision regarding the project would be announced soon.
The Padma Barrage is considered a vital project aimed at protecting the agriculture, environment, and economy of the southwest while addressing water shortages during the dry season.
Its primary objective is to counter the impact of India’s Farakka Barrage, which contributes to water scarcity, desertification, and rising salinity levels in Bangladesh.
According to the proposal, the barrage will be constructed across the Padma River at the Pangsha point in Rajbari District to store water.
The stored water will later be distributed to agricultural land through canals.
The project is also expected to maintain river navigability, control salinity intrusion, and boost fisheries.
The proposed Development Project Proposal (DPP) fixed the estimated cost at Tk 344.97 billion, though the project had not moved into the implementation stage until now.
The scheme has faced prolonged discussions over its environmental impact and transboundary river management, particularly water-sharing issues with India.
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