LALMONIRHAT : Two ministers and a state minister today visited the Teesta Barrage area and underscored the need for coordinated and sustainable river management to address the long-standing challenges facing the Teesta basin.

The delegation comprised Disaster Management and Relief Minister Asadul Habib Dulu, Water Resources Minister Md. Shahiduddin Chowdhury Anee and State Minister for Water Resources Farhad Hossain Azad.

They arrived at the Teesta Barrage area in Lalmonirhat this afternoon and inspected different sections of the barrage and adjoining areas, which play a crucial role in agriculture, irrigation and water management in the country’s northern region.

The visit was aimed at assessing the overall condition of the Teesta basin, including river erosion, flood control measures and future water management strategies.

Later, the ministers attended an exchange-of-views meeting with officials of the Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB) at the Teesta Abasar conference room.

During the meeting, discussions focused on preventing riverbank erosion along the Teesta, reducing flood risks, maintaining navigability, enhancing the efficiency of irrigation systems and reviewing the progress of ongoing development projects in the region.

The ministers emphasized the importance of taking integrated and long-term measures to ensure effective management of the Teesta River and protect the livelihoods of people living in the river basin.

Barrister Hasan Rajib Prodhan, lawmaker for Lalmonirhat-1; Rokon Uddin Babul, lawmaker for Lalmonirhat-2; senior officials of the Ministry of Water Resources and district administration officials from Lalmonirhat and Nilphamari, among others, were present.