Home
+
Published : 23 May 2026, 10:37 AM
A canal dug nearly five decades ago by former president Ziaur Rahman is set to return to the spotlight as Prime Minister Tarique Rahman travels to Mymensingh’s Trishal to inaugurate its re-excavation.
The historic Dharar Canal, also known as Bailor Khal, was excavated 47 years ago during Zia’s visit to the area.
Now, his son is returning to launch the restoration on Saturday, turning the visit into a politically and emotionally charged occasion for locals.
Festive scenes have spread across the district ahead of the visit, with residents hoping for fresh development announcements and renovation projects.
Trishal MP Mahbubur Rahman Liton said Zia took part in measuring and excavating the canal in Dariarpur Village under Bailor Union during a private visit in 1979.
“However, the canal was also part of the nationwide canal excavation initiative launched in 1976-77,” he said.
According to Liton, Tarique will inaugurate the re-excavation around 12:30pm before speaking with locals.
After resting at the Nazrul Academy dak bungalow, he is scheduled to open a three-day event celebrating national poet Kazi Nazrul Islam’s 127th birth anniversary at 4:30pm.
The state-sponsored celebration is returning to Trishal after two decades in the area deeply tied to Nazrul’s childhood memories.
Nazrul arrived in Trishal in 1914 after Daroga Rafiz Ullah brought the teenage poet from a bakery in Asansol to Kazir Shimla Village.
He later studied at Darirampur High School but left for Cumilla during Class 8 without informing anyone, never returning to Trishal again.
Deputy Commissioner Md Saifur Rahman said elaborate security arrangements and cultural events, including a Nazrul fair, book fair, music, dance, recitation and folk performances, had been organised.
