Staff Correspondent
State Minister for Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) Affairs Barrister Mir Mohammad Helal Uddin MP has underscored that water scarcity during cultivation and daily life remains a major challenge for farmers in the CHT region.

Recalling how women in remote areas of Rangamati had to descend 1,200 feet for drinking water—a hardship persisting since independence—he noted that upon learning of the issue, he immediately instructed Rangamati's Chief Executive Officer to take effective action, successfully alleviating their long-standing suffering through prompt steps.

Criticizing past practices of adopting projects without ensuring proper execution, State Minister Mir Helal stated, "Instead of taking on unnecessary extra projects, we must adopt realistic projects that are critically important for the local populace."

The state minister made these remarks while presiding over a review meeting regarding ongoing and "green-page" included projects of the Ministry of Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs for the 2026-27 fiscal year.

The meeting was held today at the conference room of the CHT Complex building on Bailey Road in Dhaka. State Minister for Planning Jonaed Abdur Rahim Saki, MP, attended the meeting as the esteemed guest.

During the meeting, State Minister Barrister Mir Helal Uddin outlined several vital proposals and plans for the comprehensive development of the hill region. He expressed the view that expanding organic fruit orchards alongside agricultural and fruit processing, constructing cold storages, and establishing dry fruit processing facilities will generate new employment opportunities at the local level.

The CHT state minister placed strong emphasis on adopting projects to resolve infrastructure issues by ensuring washroom facilities for women in para-centers across 26 upazilas of the CHT, fostering social and educational environments for girls in para-center schools, and establishing model para-centers.

Regarding the expansion of modern education systems in the CHT, State Minister Barrister Mir Helal stated that shortages of mathematics, science, and English teachers in remote areas could be addressed through multimedia classrooms and recorded classes broadcast via central satellites.

State Minister for Planning Jonaed Abdur Rahim Saki, MP, said, ensuring cold storage, healthcare, safe drinking water, and sanitation facilities in the CHT region is critically urgent.

The review meeting featured detailed discussions on various ongoing and proposed projects of the ministry. Notable projects include the Cotton Cultivation Expansion and Farmer Poverty Alleviation Project; construction of an RCC girder bridge with a connecting road in Rangamati; the Climate Resilient Livelihoods Improvement and Watershed Management (CRLIWM-CHT) Project; the Sustainable Social Services Provision (2nd Phase) Project; construction of the Mahalchhari-Baghmara and Hemranjan Para road in Khagrachari; and the construction of the CHT Regional Council Complex (1st Revised) Project.

Furthermore, out of 21 projects selected for the green page, 16 projects aligned with the government's current manifesto underwent exhaustive review. Agency-wise allocations for these approved projects comprise 12 projects for the CHT Development Board (estimated cost BDT 1,156 crore), one project for the Bandarban District Council (cost Tl 42 crore), 4 projects for the Rangamati District Council (cost BDT 195 crore), and 4 projects for the Khagrachari District Council (cost TK 196 crore).

The meeting was attended by, among others, Ministry of CHT Affairs Secretary Moh.Mizanur Rahman , Additional Secretary Md. Monirul Islam, Joint Secretaries Mohammad Mominur Rahman, Atul Sarkar, and Kazi Tofael Hossain, CHT Development Board Vice-Chairman Sheikh Saleh Ahmed, Chief Executive Officers of the three hill district councils, and senior officials from the Ministry of Planning.

A multimedia projector display and detailed presentation of the projects were conducted during the meeting by Additional Secretary Md. Monirul Islam.