Indian River Link Plan
WB won't fund it, claims minister
Staff Correspondent
World Bank has assured the government that they would not finance the Indian River Linking Project (IRLP) as Bangladesh and other co-riparian countries have raised objections against the project, said Water Resources Minister Hafiz Uddin Ahmad Bir Bikram. He also said that during his meeting with Indian Water Minister Priyo Ranjan Das Munshi in Tehran, the latter assured him of not implementing any project that will harm Bangladesh. Due to protests from even some Indian states like West Bengal, Assam, Bihar, Orissa, the Indian government faces obstruction to implement the controversial 20-year long river linking project which will cost $120 million, the minister said while discussing "Indian River Linking Project: Desertification in Bangladesh" at "Meet the Reporters" programme held at the Dhaka Reporter's Unity auditorium yesterday. India wants to solve this issue through bilateral discussion, the minister said, adding, "But we want to involve Nepal and China to deal with the problem since some of our rivers originate in those countries." Bangladesh could make a package deal with India like offering gas pipeline to solve the river and border issues, he said. Since 65 percent of water from the Brahmaputra basin flows through Bangladesh, any barrage by India in their part would be a 'life and death' problem for Bangladesh, he said, adding that the water ministry has submitted a project to measure the effects of the IRLP on the country. Hafiz Uddin said all political parties of the country should work together to resist such harmful project. To solve the problem of water shortage in the dry season, Bangladesh is contemplating building water reservoirs, he said, adding that the government will need Tk 5000 crore for the proposed Ganges Barrage. The government should invest more in the water sectors, as the feedback of the investment in this sector is very quick, he said. Haifz said now the government is discussing with India the water sharing of seven rivers -- Teesta, Dharla, Monu, Khowai, Gomti, Dud Kumar and Muhuri. While 54 rivers entered into the country from India, Bangladesh has water treaty with India only on one river. "We are getting water from India as per the 1996 water treaty," said the minister.
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