Prime Minister and BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman is scheduled to visit Dinajpur today, Monday (March 16), to officially inaugurate the national canal excavation program.

This marks his first district visit since being sworn in as Prime Minister.

A festive atmosphere has gripped Balarampur in the Kaharole Upazila as locals eagerly await the Prime Minister’s arrival.

During the visit, he will participate in the Sahapara canal excavation project, which serves as the kickoff for a broader initiative spanning 53 districts across the country.

High-Level Security and Preparations
Stringent security measures have been implemented ahead of the visit, with ministers and MPs directly supervising the arrangements.

A primary stage has been constructed where the Prime Minister will symbolically begin the excavation using a spade.

The Bangladesh Army has established a security perimeter, while RAB and intelligence agencies remain on high alert, utilizing dog squads and increased surveillance.

According to the schedule, the Prime Minister will fly from Dhaka to Saidpur Airport before traveling by bus to reach Kaharole by 12:00 PM.

Following the inauguration and a civic rally, he will visit the Sheikh Faridpur graveyard in the district town to offer prayers at the graves of his maternal grandparents, M.E. Majumdar and Begum Tayyaba Majumdar, and his aunt, Begum Khurshid Jahan Haque.

Impact on Agriculture and Environment
The visit will conclude in the evening with an exchange of views with civic and political leaders at the southern end of Shaheed Baro Maidan, followed by an Iftar party.

Local representatives emphasized the socio-economic significance of the project. MP Manjurul Islam noted that the re-excavation of the 12.5 km canal is expected to bring 10,000 bighas of land under cultivation, benefiting approximately 35,000 farmers.

State Minister for Water Resources, Farhad Hossain Azad, stated that this initiative fulfills a core campaign promise regarding environmental protection and the "Green Revolution."