Teesta Master Plan feasibility study to be completed soon: Anee
The joint feasibility study for the Teesta Master Plan will be completed as quickly as possible following China's agreement to support the initiative, Water Resources Minister Md Shahiduddin Chowdhury Anee said on Sunday.
Speaking to journalists about Prime Minister Tarique Rahman's recent state visit to China, the minister said Bangladesh and China had agreed to jointly conduct the feasibility study, marking a key step towards implementing the long-awaited Teesta River Comprehensive Management Project.
"China has agreed to conduct a feasibility study for the Teesta project. We will work together to complete the study," Anee said, expressing hope that it would be finalised at the earliest opportunity.
"With China's support, we will move forward as quickly as possible. We want to take the Teesta Master Plan to the people at the earliest. We are giving special attention so that work can begin under the current budget," he added.
The minister said Bangladesh had also sought China's cooperation in the overall management of the country's river systems.
Anee said Tarique discussed the Teesta project several times during his meetings with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang.
He said the issue was also raised during the Prime Minister's meeting with Chinese Water Resources Minister Li Guoying at the Diaoyutai State Guest House in Beijing on 25 June.
According to the minister, ministers and advisers from both countries attended the meeting, where both sides agreed that technical assistance would be required to implement the long-awaited project and that China would jointly conduct the feasibility study.
Anee said the Teesta project was essential to address the long-standing problems faced by lakhs of people living in the Teesta basin.
Highlighting Bangladesh-China relations, he said the two countries have maintained close ties since diplomatic relations were established in 1976 under Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman. He also noted that former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia visited China seven times, further strengthening bilateral cooperation.
The minister said Chinese Water Resources Minister Li Guoying had assured Bangladesh of full cooperation in water resources management and invited Bangladeshi water experts and officials to receive training in China so they could benefit from the country's expertise in the sector.
Prime Minister Tarique Rahman visited China from 22 to 26 June after completing a two-day official visit to Malaysia. During the trip, he attended the World Economic Forum's Annual Meeting of the New Champions in Dalian before travelling to Beijing, where he held bilateral meetings with President Xi Jinping, Premier Li Qiang and Zhao Leji, Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress.