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🇧🇩 Bangladesh /Energy & Infrastructure

Padma Barrage project could boost Bangladesh GDP by 1%, experts caution on water sharing

From Daily Star · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources New plan
  • Bangladesh estimates the Padma Barrage project could boost the country's GDP by 0.5-1 percent.
  • The project aims to store water, generate hydropower, improve irrigation, and revive river systems, addressing issues caused by upstream water-control structures.
  • Experts raised concerns about water-sharing with India, regional geopolitics, and the need for parliamentary oversight and climate data.

The Padma Barrage project is envisioned not just as infrastructure but as a cornerstone of integrated, people-centered water management for Bangladesh, according to Prime Minister’s Adviser Rashed Al Mahmud Titumir. He stated the project could increase the nation's GDP by an estimated 0.5 to 1 percent.

the barrage should be viewed not merely as infrastructure but as part of a broader plan for integrated, people‑centred water management.

— Rashed Al Mahmud TitumirPrime Minister’s Adviser Rashed Al Mahmud Titumir explaining the vision for the Padma Barrage project.

The ambitious plan aims to store 2,900 million cubic meters of water, generate 113 megawatts of hydropower, and enhance irrigation across several regions. Titumir highlighted that 942 upstream water-control structures negatively impact downstream Bangladesh, creating issues of fairness and international law. The barrage seeks to revitalize rivers like the Gorai and Mathabhanga, combat salinity in coastal districts, provide freshwater to the Sundarbans, and alleviate waterlogging.

Discussions at a roundtable revealed diverse perspectives. Saimum Parvez, special assistant to the prime minister, noted the barrage was in the BNP's election manifesto and stressed Bangladesh's preference for bilateral talks over external oversight. National Professor Mahbub Ullah called for compensation for environmental and economic damages from insufficient water flows. Prof Javed Hossain urged clarity on water-sharing with India and evaluation of alternatives, while Maj Gen (retd) Fazle Elahi Akbar warned of geopolitical shifts due to China's upstream projects.

We will not accept interference or oversight from any other country.

— Saimum ParvezSaimum Parvez, special assistant to the prime minister, stressing Bangladesh's stance on international involvement in the project.

Concerns were also raised about the project's financial and technical underpinnings. Asif Bin Ali cautioned that the barrage would retain existing water rather than create new supplies, emphasizing the need for peer-reviewed climate data and strict parliamentary oversight. Mahmudur Rahman Shaon noted that approving the barrage might limit funding for other options, stressing the importance of clarifying water-sharing terms with India.

the barrage will retain water, not create it.

— Asif Bin AliAsif Bin Ali, a doctoral fellow at Georgia State University, cautioning about the project's water retention capabilities.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Daily Star in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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