The New Nation - Internet Edition

UNB, Lalmonirhat

Boro cultivation is likely to be hampered in the district in current season as the authority of Teesta Irrigation Project could not supply any water to farmers to irrigate their lands.

The Tk 1,500 crore barrage, largest of such projects in the country, now stands on sandy land as the river has almost dried before the beginning of the dry season.

Farmers in the region everyday throng in the office of the Water Development Board (WDB) urging the authority to supply irrigation water. But the authority could not ensure them of providing water.

Executive Engineer at Dalia Division of the WDB Atiqul Islam told UNB that 10,000 Cusec water is necessary to conduct normal irrigation programme. But the flow of water at Teesta Barrage point is now 2,000 to 3,000 Cusec, he added.

While visiting the area, UNB Lalmonirhat correspondent observed that all 44, but one, gates of the barrage were closed due to lack of water in the river. According to a source close to the WDB, India unilaterally withdraws water of the Teesta River by closing all the gates of Gajaldoba barrage, constructed 65 km upstream to provide irrigate facilities in Rajasthan province.

Official sources said the WDB implemented the first phase work of country's largest Teesta Barrage Project at Doani in Hatibandha upazila here in 1998 spending Tk 1,500 crore. The project was undertaken to provide irrigation facilities to 13.35 lakh acres of land in 35 upazilas of the northern districts. But, the project is no use to the farmers for want of adequate water in the river.