Rangpur, Feb 10, (V7N) - Syeda Rizwana Hasan, the environment, forest, climate change, and water resources advisor, emphasized that the Tista Master Plan must be implemented by December 2025. She stated that the people of the Tista riverbank are unaware of the agreement made with China in 2016 regarding the plan. While China had initially stated that the plan would not be permanent, they have now requested an additional two years. The advisor added that while the government is willing to grant this time extension, discussions must be held with the people living along the river to gather their opinions before proceeding.

She made these comments at a public hearing titled "What Needs to Be Done for Tista" held on Sunday (February 9) in the Tista Railway Bridge area in Kauniya, Rangpur.

Rizwana Hasan further stated that if India opens the dam a few hours in advance, it would allow people to evacuate and prevent loss of life and property. She mentioned that the Ministry of Water Resources has repeatedly asked India for this advance notice and will continue to do so. She also pointed out that the Tista river's 45-kilometer stretch is highly prone to erosion. While there have been delays in the agreement and implementation of the master plan, riverbank erosion will continue this year as well. Therefore, the Water Development Board has been instructed to issue a tender within the next week for this eroded area, with work expected to begin by March.

In her address to the people of Tista's riverbank, she assured them that even when there is no interim government, she would stand with them and raise her voice for their rights, ensuring that the work done during this time is carried on by the future government.

In the same event, Asif Mahmud Sajeeb Bhuiyan, the local government, rural development and cooperatives, and youth and sports advisor, commented on the previous government's weak foreign policy towards India, which failed to address the Tista issue. He stressed that the current government will demand a fair share of water from India. He also mentioned that Bangladesh has been seeking a fair water share since 2011, with a draft plan in hand. However, the past government had given too much to India without securing any benefits for Bangladesh. He pointed out that the current government is focusing on industrial development in the north, addressing past inequalities, and implementing projects such as building educational institutions in char (river island) areas and cold storage for farmers to ensure fair prices.

The public hearing on what needs to be done for the Tista project was presided over by Rangpur's Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Rabbiul Faisal. Speakers included Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Water Resources A.K.M. Tariqul Islam, National Citizens Committee Secretary Akhtar Hossain, President of the Tista Save River Save Struggle Council Nazrul Islam Hakkani, Northern University teacher Dr. Atique Mujahid, and BNP leader Md. Hossain Babu, among others.

Before the event, people from Rangpur, Lalmonirhat, Nilphamari, Gaibandha, and Kurigram gathered to attend the public hearing. As the day progressed, a large number of people from the riverbank area participated in the event. The attendees expressed their hope that the current government would implement the Tista Master Plan without further delays, rather than just offering promises.

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