Dhaka, June 13 -- Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has inaugurated the re-excavation of Patali Canal in Cox's Bazar, the same waterway his father dug with his own hands nearly five decades ago.

On Saturday at 10:50am, he arrived at PM Khali Union under Sadar Upazila and, braving heavy rain, picked up a spade to formally launch the work, mirroring the moment late president Ziaur Rahman did the same in November 1979.

The prime minister stepped off his flight in pouring rain before travelling by road to the site, where over a thousand villagers had gathered along the canal bank since morning, waiting to catch a glimpse of him.

After inaugurating the work, he took to a makeshift stage beside the canal to wave to the crowd.

Several ministers ...