Dhaka, May 2 -- Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has inaugurated the re-excavation of the Basia River in Sylhet's Kashipur.

He opened the programme at 1:20pm on Saturday by cutting soil with a spade.

Speaking to local residents, Tarique said the canal had first been excavated in 1977 by former president Ziaur Rahman but had since become blocked.

"We want to excavate this canal again. If we do so, nearly 80,000 farmers will directly benefit, while another 150,000 farmers will benefit indirectly," he said.

The prime minister said re-excavating the canal would also boost crop production on land along its banks.

"Crop production will increase by nearly 7,000 tonnes," he said.

Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Bd...