Bangladesh, March 16 -- Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is set to inaugurate a nationwide programme on Monday to excavate and re-excavate rivers, canals and other water bodies in a bid to improve irrigation, strengthen water management and increase agricultural production.

The premier will formally launch the initiative by inaugurating excavation work of a canal in Kaharole upazila of Dinajpur district, which will simultaneously mark the start of re-excavation activities for 53 canals across the country.

Prime Minister's Press Secretary Saleh Shibly said the prime minister will travel to Dinajpur on Monday morning to launch the programme.

He is scheduled to fly from Dhaka to Saidpur Airport and then proceed by road to the Balrampur Sahap...