Water Resources Minister Md Shahid Uddin Chowdhury Anee on Sunday declared that the government is committed to implementing the Teesta Master Plan, honoring the pledge made by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman.

“The government will implement the Teesta Master Plan in line with the commitment of the Prime Minister as well as the electoral manifesto made by the ruling BNP,” the Minister stated.

He gave this assurance while responding to an urgent public importance notice brought by opposition lawmaker Mahbubul Alam (Kurigram-3) under section 71 of the rules of procedure, during a session chaired by Deputy Speaker Barrister Kayser Kamal.

Minister Anee emphasized that the project is a necessity for the country and the welfare of 50 lakh people in the northern region.

However, he noted the need for a strategic approach, saying, “But we have to take time and it is necessary for us before implementing the project.”

The Minister informed the Jatiya Sangsad that the Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB) has already completed a feasibility study for the plan.

Based on these findings, the government has prepared a Preliminary Development Project Proposal (PDPP) to examine the technical and financial aspects, which is currently under process.

“Based on the PDPP, the government will take the decision to implement the project after reviewing the technical aspects,” Anee said.

Highlighting the benefits, the Minister said the plan would effectively stop riverbank erosion, protecting agricultural land, houses, educational institutions, and mosques.

He added that the project would safeguard the lives and livelihoods of nearly two crore people while reviving agriculture, fisheries, and broader economic activities.

“Through the implementation of Teesta Master Plan, it would be possible to revive the biodiversity,” he said, noting that the development would also foster small industries and expand tourism, creating a “new economic emergence” centered around the Teesta.

In response to a supplementary question regarding transboundary challenges, the Minister remarked that Bangladesh faces a serious crisis due to "absolute Indian control on its flows and their water management."

However, he clarified that the master plan is "absolutely an issue of Bangladesh."

He revealed that the Chinese government has already expressed interest in the project, which requires an estimated investment of BDT 12,000 crore.

The Minister concluded that the project can be realized if the government takes a "decisive decision" in this regard.