Dhaka, March 16 -- The stage is ready in Dinajpur's Kaharol, where Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is due to launch a nationwide programme to excavate rivers, canals and other water bodies across Bangladesh.

Crowds were waiting at the rally venue ahead of his arrival on Sunday morning.

The event will mark the start of the re-excavation of 12.2km of the Sahapara Canal in the Upazila, which officials say will serve as the formal launch of the nationwide programme in 54 districts.

The initiative was one of the key pledges in the BNP's election manifesto.

The rally has been organised jointly by the BNP and the Ministry of Water Resources.

State Minister for Water Resources Farhad Hossain Azad said the prime minister would inaugurate the ca...