Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Saturday inaugurated a Tk 7,500 crore mega project aimed at beautifying Sylhet city and developing flood-resilient infrastructure to tackle recurring floods and prolonged waterlogging.
The foundation stone of the project was laid at around 11:00 am at Chandnighat on the banks of the Surma River. Earlier in the morning, the Prime Minister arrived in Sylhet by air at Osmani International Airport, marking his first visit to the city since assuming office.
According to Sylhet City Corporation (SCC) officials, the project is expected to significantly improve flood control and drainage systems, reducing long-standing suffering of city residents.
Sylhet’s unique geography—surrounded by hills and rivers—includes 13 natural canals that flow into the Surma River. During the monsoon, upstream water and heavy rainfall often cause river water to flow back into the city through these canals, leading to severe and prolonged waterlogging. The project was designed based on experiences from the devastating floods between 2022 and 2024, along with expert advice from water specialist Dr. Ainun Nishat.
Under the project, modern sluice gates and high-capacity pumps will be installed at three key points: Baithakkhal in Kazirbazar, Goali Chhara in Chhararpar, and Haldi Chhara in Borhanuddin area. These measures aim to prevent river water from entering the শহর while ensuring quick drainage of rainwater.
Additionally, around 17.5 kilometers of the Surma Riverbanks—from Shahporan Bridge to Badaghat Bridge—will be elevated. In areas where raising the banks is not feasible, flood protection walls will be constructed.
Officials said that in the first phase, the government will allocate Tk 4,635 crore, with plans to implement the project with foreign assistance.
Before inaugurating the project, the Prime Minister visited the shrine of Hazrat Shahjalal (RA) in the morning. Later in the day, he is scheduled to inaugurate the excavation of Basia Canal in Kandigaon, open the “Notun Kuri Sports 2026” event at Sylhet District Stadium at 3:00 pm, and attend a party meeting at the District Shilpakala Academy at 5:00 pm.
