The Teesta master plan proposes 110 km of dredging in northern Bangladesh to enhance flood control, reduce erosion, and improve irrigation, offering long-term socio-economic benefits to local communities.
A feasibility study under the Teesta master plan has recommended dredging around 110 kilometers of the river as part of a broader river management initiative aimed at restoring navigability, reducing flood risks and improving irrigation in northern Bangladesh, Parliament was informed.
Prime Minister and Leader of the House Tarique Rahman told Parliament on Wednesday in response to a starred question from Gaibandha-1 lawmaker Md. Majedur Rahman that the Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB) has completed the feasibility study on the integrated Teesta river basin management plan.
He said the Teesta River remains central to the livelihoods of millions in northern Bangladesh. During the monsoon season, heavy rainfall and upstream flows frequently trigger sudden flooding and riverbank erosion. In the dry season, water levels drop sharply, in some areas almost to zero.
He added that excessive sedimentation and the river’s tendency to split into multiple channels continue to destabilize its flow and worsen long-term siltation problems.
According to the study, the proposed intervention includes dredging of about 110 kilometers of the river within Bangladesh, covering parts of Gaibandha and other districts along the Teesta basin.
Tarique Rahman said the technical and financial aspects of the proposal are currently under review. A final implementation timeline will be set once the assessment is completed and the project is found to be technically and financially viable.
Integrated River Management Plan
The Teesta master plan is designed as an integrated river basin initiative focusing on flood control, dredging, embankment protection, irrigation expansion and agricultural development.
It includes river excavation, embankment strengthening, improved water regulation structures and modern irrigation systems aimed at reducing seasonal water stress and flood vulnerability.
Erosion Crisis Displacing Thousands
Severe river erosion along the Teesta continues to displace thousands of families across Rangpur, Lalmonirhat, Nilphamari, Kurigram and Gaibandha districts, as farmland, homes and infrastructure are gradually lost to the river.
Residents in Kurigram said erosion has become a near-daily threat, forcing families to live in constant fear of displacement and loss of shelter.
Farmers reported that repeated erosion has destroyed agricultural land, cutting off their main sources of income and pushing many households into economic hardship.
Expert and Civil Society Views
Local development activists said long-term river governance, sustainable embankments and effective rehabilitation of affected communities are essential for any lasting solution to the Teesta crisis.
They also urged the introduction of a legal compensation framework for erosion-affected people to ensure accountability and a structured state response.
A Water Development Board official said vulnerable areas have been identified and emergency protection work is ongoing using geo-bags filled with sand to slow erosion.
Climate Justice Perspective
Sohanur Rahman, Executive Coordinator of YouthNet Global, said the Teesta crisis highlights the intersection of climate vulnerability, governance gaps and inequality in river management.
“Any Teesta intervention must go beyond engineering solutions. It must integrate climate justice and social equity, ensuring that frontline communities are not left behind. A just transition approach is essential, where protection, participation and long-term resilience of river-dependent people are guaranteed,” he said.
Outlook
While the Teesta master plan presents significant potential for agriculture, irrigation and regional development in northern Bangladesh, experts say major challenges remain, including financing, implementation timelines and transboundary water management complexities.
If effectively implemented, the project could bring substantial socio-economic benefits to millions living in the Teesta basin. However, its success will depend on sustained coordination, long-term planning and inclusive policy implementation.
