Dhaka, March 16 -- Five decades after former president Ziaur Rahman dug the Sahapara Canal in Dinajpur in 1977, his son, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, has launched its re-excavation.

Following in his father's footsteps, the premier kicked off the programme at 12:30pm on Monday, digging into the canal with a spade.

Through the action in the Balrampur area of Kaharol Upazila, the head of the government also inaugurated a nationwide canal excavation and re-excavation programme -- a key part of the BNP's election manifesto -- in 54 districts across the country.

The Sahapara Canal is 12.2km in length and is connected to the Punarbhaba River.

Before the inauguration of the canal re-excavation programme, Social Welfare Minister and Dinajpur...