BMDA running EIBA project to utilize surface water

Rokybul Hasan, Rajshahi

To reduce the pressure on groundwater, the Barind Multipurpose Development Authority (BMDA) has taken an irrigation extension project in the Barind area by storing river water (surface water) in canals.

The weather of Rajshahi, Chapainawabganj, and Naogaon districts located in the northwest part of Bangladesh is relatively dry and the temperature is relatively high. There is very little surface water in this area in the dry season. On the other hand, the rivers Padma, Mahananda, Punarbhaba, Rani, and Barnai have a lot of water during monsoon. If the water of these rivers is conserved and used for irrigation purposes during the dry season, it will be possible to limit the use of underground water. Considering these, the government has approved a project titled ‘Extension of Irrigation in Barind Area through Conservation of Water in Canal-2nd Phase’ and is implementing it from October/2022 to June/2027 for the development of the farmers of the Barind region. Jurisdiction of the project includes Chapainawabganj Sadar, Nachole, Gomastapur, Shibganj, and Bholahat upazilas of Chapainawabganj District, Bagmara and Godagari upazilas of Rajshahi District and Mohadebpur of Naogaon District.

The current government is prioritizing the use of surface water for irrigation. Emphasis has been placed on the use of surface and rainwater while discouraging the use of groundwater. Under this project, opportunities will be created to provide irrigation support to crops during the Robi and the Kharif seasons through the re-excavation of canals, creeks, and ponds, conservation of rainwater as well as surface water, and use of solar pumps and underground pipelines. Moreover, groundwater recharge will increase, the use of renewable solar energy will reduce pressure on electricity consumption, and the environment will be improved by meeting nutrient needs through tree planting.

Implementation of the project will ensure the irrigation of 3,490 hectares of land. As a result, 27,920 metric tons of crops will be produced through cultivating 2/3 crops in each land, which will help in food security.

Agricultural production will increase as the irrigation system is assured. Implementation of project activities will increase irrigation efficiency by using irrigation systems, underground irrigation, and pre-paid meters.

In the project, 132 Irrigation Units (LLPs) will be operated by solar power generated through affordable and renewable energy. Renewable solar energy will be used during the irrigation season and supply to the national grid will be ensured as an alternative use of the solar power generated during the non-irrigation season. By using environmentally friendly solar power in irrigation, it will be possible to provide affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy.

Md. Nazirul Islam, project director and supervising engineer of the project titled ‘Extension of Irrigation in Barind Area through Conservation of Water in Canal-2nd Phase’, said that the implementation of this five-year project approved by the Prime Minister in ECNEC will cost Tk 249.40 crore. Under the project, 38.25 km Khas canals/creeks, one pond, and two beels will be re-excavated, 13 submerged weirs will be constructed, four pontoons in the river will be installed and two will be repaired, 26 LLP pumps on pontoons will be installed, water will be preserved in the canals through 72.70-km long and 450/500-mm diameter HDPE/MS pipelines, irrigation facilities will be ensured on 3,490 hectares of land through 148-km long and 250-mm diameter pipelines from canals through 132 solar LLPs and 40 direct pumping schemes.

There is provision for planting one lakh different species of fruit and medicinal plants along the banks of the re-dug canal. This is the first time that BMDA has taken the initiative of providing irrigation through HDPE pipes. Meanwhile, the construction of 800 meters of HDPE pipeline has been completed to supply water from the Rani River to the canal in Bagmara Upazila, and 550-meter canals have been dug and 5,000 fruit and forest trees have been planted. At present, the installation of 1,500-meter HDPE pipeline in Shibganj Upazila is in progress.

The project director also said that some challenges have to be faced at the beginning of the implementation of the project. As the cost of every construction material has gone up, it has become difficult to work within the approved DPP rates.

The project director feels that the rate of construction materials needs to be revised. Moreover, social complications in the cutting of mature trees on the banks of the canal, and the timely construction of the rubber dam by the Bangladesh Water Development Board in the Mahananda River are also a challenge in project implementation.

Above all, the government has taken up the project through BMDA to ensure optimal use of surface water for relief from natural calamities and expansion of irrigation. By doing this, it will be easy to increase the use of surface water by 30 percent by 2030 and will contribute to achieving the target of Delta Plan 2100, BMDA believes.