, April 30 -- Water Resources Minister Md Shahiduddin Chowdhury Anee on Thursday said the government has taken a plan to excavate and re-excavate some 20,000 kilometres of canals across the country over the next five years.

He made the disclosure while replying to a starred tabled question by treasury bench member from Gaibandha-4 Mohammad Shamim Kaiser in Parliament.

The minister said in line with the government's election manifesto, canal excavation and re-excavation activities are currently underway in different districts under a nationwide programme for dredging rivers, canals, sanctuaries and other water bodies.

He added that under the government's 180-day action plan, ongoing projects implemented by the Ministry of Water Resource...