RAJSHAHI, May 3, 2026 (V7N) — The Barendra Multipurpose Development Authority (BMDA)’s deep tubewell irrigation project is facing collapse due to indiscriminate groundwater extraction from illegal wells, allegedly facilitated by corrupt officials of Tanore Palli Bidyut Samity.

Studies show the average groundwater level in Barendra fell from 26 feet (1985–1990) to 50 feet (2010), then 60 feet (2021), and now below 113 feet in some areas. In 26 unions across eight upazilas of Rajshahi, Naogaon, and Chapainawabganj, water no longer flows even after digging 170 feet. Thousands of hand tubewells became defunct years ago.

A government gazette (Nov 6, 2025) declared 4,911 mouzas as water crisis zones for the next decade, with 1,469 mouzas marked “extremely high crisis.”

Experts recommend prioritizing surface water use and closing shallow tube wells, which waste 60% of extracted water, compared to 20% wastage in deep tube wells. BMDA has discouraged boro cultivation and promoted low‑irrigation crops.

Yet, in Tanore, officials allegedly provided electricity to illegal ponds and residential motors (3–6 horsepower) for irrigation trade. Farmers say hundreds of illegal motors are operating, wasting groundwater and undermining BMDA’s conservation efforts.

Scale of irrigation
552 deep tube wells (536 BMDA, 16 private)
411 shallow tube wells (diesel/electric/LLP powered)
1,366 irrigation pumps in total
23,993 hectares cultivable land, with 22,332 hectares irrigated
Cropping intensity: 278%

In the past week alone, 30 deep tube wells failed due to groundwater depletion.

Allegations against Palli Bidyut

Farmers accuse Tanore Palli Bidyut of trading in fines instead of disconnecting illegal irrigation connections. Reports suggest Tk 1,500 per month is collected from violators. Assistant Engineer Naimul Islam (BMDA Tanore Zone) confirmed irrigation motors are not permitted in deep tube well command areas.

Assistant Manager Rezaul Karim Khan (Tanore Palli Bidyut) admitted fines were imposed on 5–6 thousand farmers but claimed campaigns were conducted to discourage boro irrigation. He said fines would stop if farmers pledged not to irrigate illegally.

Locals warn that unless illegal extraction is curbed, drinking water scarcity will soon follow irrigation collapse. Farmers are increasingly anxious about the future of BMDA, once considered a lifeline for agriculture in drought‑prone Barendra.

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