Water Resources Minister Shahid Uddin Chowdhury Anee on Monday said that canal excavation would bring a radical change in the livelihoods of people.

He made the remarks while speaking as the chief guest at a discussion meeting after visiting Choukkar canal at Chapilapara under Sreepur Municipality in Gazipur. State Minister for Water Resources Forhad Hossain Azad, MP, was also present on the occasion.

The minister said the canal excavation programme is a revolution, which was initiated by Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman and now canal excavation is one of the election pledges of the present government.

Through several inter-ministerial meetings, a 180-day programme has already been undertaken and visible activities of canal excavation have begun, he added.

Anee said the present government is people-friendly and started working for public welfare from the day it assumed office.

"The government is giving importance to canal excavation to ensure irrigation for agriculture, increase fish production, enhance water flow and remove waterlogging," he said, adding that alongside excavation across the country, including Gazipur, beautification through plantation on both sides of canals will also be carried out.

Speaking on the occasion, Forhad Hossain Azad said the present government has been working for public welfare since assuming office and a target has been set to excavate and re-excavate 20,000 kilometres of canals, ponds and water bodies across the country over the next five years.

The government has already waived agricultural loans of Tk 10,000, he said, adding, "The Premier will inaugurate distribution of family cards in 15 upazilas on March 10.

Earlier, the minister visited Choukkar Canal in Sreepur upazila. He was received in Sreepur by Gazipur-3 constituency lawmaker Professor Dr SM Rafiqul Islam, Deputy Commissioner Md Alam Hossain, Superintendent of Police Md Sharif Uddin and Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Barrister Md Sajib Ahmed.

The minister also visited Lobondoh canal at Dokhola under Ward No. 5 of Sreepur Municipality and Gacha canal at Tongi.