LGRD Minister meets WB delegation : Tk 7,500 cr project taken to protect 14 coastal dists
Staff Correspondent
The government has taken an initiative to implement a five-year project worth Tk 7,500 crore to protect vulnerable populations across 14 coastal districts, mitigate flood and climate change risks, and improve local living standards.
Funded by the World Bank, the project is scheduled to commence in the upcoming fiscal year.
The strategic aspects of the project were discussed during a meeting on Sunday at the Bangladesh Secretariat between Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Minister Dr. Abdul Moyeen Khan and a nine-member World Bank delegation led by its Country Director for Bangladesh and Bhutan, Jean Pesme. Local Government Division Secretary Md. Shahidul Hassan was also present.
The discussion centered on components under the "Bangladesh Strategic Flood Resilience Program (Flood MPA)" and the "Coastal Resilience Project." Key priorities include ensuring safety for vulnerable coastal communities, enhancing capacity to tackle climate-induced disasters, and promoting sustainable infrastructure development.
"Our primary objective is to guarantee a peaceful, safe, and improved life for our citizens. Alongside upgrading living standards, we must generate employment opportunities. The government is committed to working in coordination with the World Bank to achieve these goals," LGRD Minister Dr. Abdul Moyeen Khan said.
The project will execute infrastructure development, flood control, and disaster risk reduction measures across 14 vulnerable coastal districts. Discussions also focused on strengthening social safety nets and boosting economic opportunities for local residents.
Addressing salinity intrusion, the project emphasizes setting up water purification systems, expanding safe drinking water access, and prioritizing surface water utilization over groundwater extraction to ensure long-term water security and climate resilience.
Director General (Planning, Monitoring, Evaluation and Inspection Wing) Shibani Bichitra Barua, alongside other senior officials from the ministry, attended the meeting.
