The minister said this while addressing a press briefing on board MV Titas after observing the condition of navigability of the Jamuna.

He said sources of most of the rivers of Bangladesh are originated in India where numerous barrages were set up to withdraw water in the dry season. As a result, about 4,000 rivers of the country are drying in the winter season, he said.

Akbar visited the dredging of the Hurasagor, an offshoot of the Jamuna, from Mohonganj point to Kazirhat in Bera upazila.

The minister said the Ganges Water Sharing Agreement signed during the period of Awami League (AL) government is a bluff as the agreement lacks any guarantee clause.

He said the present Four-Party Alliance government is trying to solve the vexed water-sharing problem between Bangladesh and India through inter-country negotiation.

Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Corporation (BIWTC) Chairman Advocate Shamsur Rahman Shimul Biswas, Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) Chairman Dr Riaz Hasan Khondkar, Bangladesh Petrolium Corporation Chairman Sheikh Khurshid Alam was present at the press briefing.

Meanwhile, the concerned officials informed the minister the navigability of Baghabari point could be increased by 1.5 ft using bundling method.

They said they are expecting that all kinds of ship including oil tankers could anchor at the point with immediate effect, which will ease the perennial problem of fuel supply in the northern districts.