Dhaka, May 2 -- Prime Minister Tarique Rahman today (Saturday) inaugurated the re-excavation works of the Basia River in Sylhet, a project closely linked to the memory of his father, Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman.

At about 1:20 pm, Tarique Rahman inaugurated the programme by cutting soil with a spade amidst the adverse weather conditions, BSS reports.

This Basia River in Kashipur Union, about seven kilometers away from Sylhet city, is connected to the Surma River.

Addressing the locals present after re-excavating the canal, the Prime Minister said the Basia River, this canal here, was dug by Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman in 1977. "After that, this canal was blocked again. We want to re-excavate this canal now."

Explaining the reason...