BNP wants institutional management of common rivers

The BNP suggests that other countries of the region should play a part in the management of the rivers common between Bangladesh and India.

Senior Correspondentbdnews24.com
Published : 16 April 2017, 01:27 PM
Updated : 16 April 2017, 01:27 PM

While talking about the potential Teesta deal on Sunday, Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury, a member of the party's Standing Committee, pointed to lapses in similar agreements between the neighbouring countries.

"Khaleda Zia clearly said we must be provided with the details on the flow of 54 rivers, including the Teesta," he said.

“I would like to emphasise that just signing deals is not enough.”

"A treaty was also made for the Ganges, but we did not get the promised water. We know that,” Chowdhury said.

"Information about the waters of the 54 common rivers is needed. An institutional system must be developed for river management, and regional countries must be part of it.”

Bringing up instances like the distribution of waters from the Mekong Delta and the Nile, Chowdhury said, "These are institutionally managed. The accounts are there."

Bangladesh signed 11 deals and 24 memoranda of understanding with India during Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s four-day visit to New Delhi last week.