Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said on Thursday there are many rivers in the country and the river routes are the best ways for trade and business.
Hasina also said the rivers will have to be protected for saving and developing the country and we've a tremendous scope to get benefits from the rivers.
The premier came up with the remarks while delivering her introductory speech during the presentation of a model on the 'Comprehensive Plan for Stabilization of the Jamuna-Padma River and Pilot Intervention for Land Reclamation' at her office in the morning.
Water Resources Minister Anwar Hossain Manju spoke at the function while Shipping Minister Shajahan Khan was, among others, present.
The prime minister also put the importance increasing the navigability of the country's rivers as well as their land reclamation.
"We've to give attention on how we can reap maximum benefits from the rivers...we've to also focus on how we can utilise the silt and reclaim more lands from rivers," she said.
Describing rivers as the lifeline of the country, Sheikh Hasina said a civilisation is built on the banks of the rivers. "If we look at the history of the civilisation, everything was raised on the banks of the rivers," she said.
She said the country will be developed further if the land of the rivers is reclaimed. "We can raise habitation if we can construct mills and factories through a planned urbanisation," she said.
About land reclamation of the rivers, Sheikh Hasina said it will help increase investment and agriculture land and remove poverty. "Bangladesh will be prosperous from many sides...so this asset will have to be utilised," she said.
Underscoring the need for dredging the rivers, the prime minister said the rivers are the country's lifeline. "But, it sometimes brings sorrow for us if the dredging and training of the rivers are not done. So, we will have to make capital dredging first, then maintenance dredging every year," she said.
Pointing out the country's booming population, Sheikh Hasina said the country's population has increased to over 160 million from 70 million since independence. "We've to provide food and housing and manage communication for them," BSS said quoting Sheikh Hasina.
The premier said steps will have to be taken for keeping the depth of the mighty rivers. "There will have a buffer zone if we could reclaim huge lands," she said.
