The interim government in Bangladesh has now taken the initiative to implement the Teesta mega project, in light of which a letter has already been sent from China requesting financing of 67 billion taka. The pace of work on this project has increased after the March visit of chief Advisor Professor Mohemmed Yunus to China.
Policymakers are working to sign a financial agreement between the two countries by the end of this year. The project, fully named “Teesta River Comprehensive Management and Restoration” is currently Known as a Teesta mega project.
Both China and India have shown interest in the project at various times. Former Indian Home Secretary Vinay Kwatra expressed India’s interest in financing the Teesta project during his visit to Bangladesh in May 2024. The Awami League government, which was ousted in the August uprising, also wanted India to complete this project.
Former autocratic Prime Minister of Bangladesh Sheikh Hasina said in a press conference at Ganabhaban on July 14, 2024 that China is interested in the Teesta project but she want India to do this project, she also said that if India does this project, it will continue to do whatever is necessary for it. Just 22-days after that conference,a student-led mass uprising led to the fall of the Awami league and sikh Hasina fled to India.
On 8 August 2024, a caretaker government was formed under the leadership of professor Mohemmed Yunus, and the friendly relations with the Indian government changed to a tense one. In light of this, in March this year, Professor Mohemmed Yunus signed an agreement with China on the Teesta mega project during his visit to China. On May 26 this year, the Ministry of Water Resources sent a letter to the Planning Commission,mentioning Chinese loan assistance for the Teesta project. And in July this year, the Economic Resources Department sent a letter to the Chinese Embassy.
Meanwhile, the Bangladesh Government has informed that an estimated 91.5 billion taka is required to complete the Teesta mega project, of which 67 billion taka has been sought as a loan from China. The remaining money will come from the Bangladesh government treasury. The initial timeline for the project is set to begin in 2026 and be completed by 2029.
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