Gopalganj Correspondent:  The defense embankment at Bhatiapara in Kashiani Upazila, which was once a significant port for Gopalganj, is now experiencing erosion. In response to this situation, traders have evacuated 15 businesses. Numerous facilities, including commercial establishments, bridges, railway stations, mosques, and food warehouses, are at risk. The Water Development Board has begun placing sandbags to mitigate the erosion.

Bhatiapara port is situated at the tri-estuary where the larger districts of Faridpur, Gopalganj, and Narail converge. This port in Kashiani Upazila of Gopalganj district is connected by river, rail, and road. A commercial port was established here to facilitate the marketing of agricultural products from the three districts. Regional markets take place in Bhatiapara on Mondays and Fridays, with transactions amounting to several crores of taka at each market. Bhatiapara boasts over a hundred godowns, including four government food warehouses. Among these, there are 60 jute warehouses of various sizes, and 40 warehouses for rice, mustard, kalai, and black cumin, as well as coriander.

The market sees the buying and selling of rice, jute, lentils, mung beans, khesari, mustard, sesame, coriander, vegetables, greens, and wood. Trading significantly increases during the seasons for rice, jute, kalai, and mustard. The jute season has just commenced here, and in the next two to three weeks, jute imports are expected to rise. Consequently, trading could reach between 3 crore and 4 crore taka per market. There is a bend in the Bhatiapara section of the Madhumati River.

S.M. Refat Jamil, the Executive Engineer of the Gopalganj Water Development Board, stated that Bhatiapara port, located along the Madhumoti river, is in a region susceptible to erosion. The river has shifted its course towards the west of Bhatiapara. During high tide, the water impacts Bhatiapara port. Additionally, heavy rainfall has led to an increase in river water levels recently. Consequently, the eddy current in that area has intensified, striking Bhatiapara port. This has resulted in a 25-meter erosion on the slope of the defense structure at Bhatiapara, with another 27 meters at risk. We have visited the site and reported the situation to higher authorities. To combat erosion, 6,000 sandbags have been allocated. The dumping of these sandbags commenced last Saturday (August 9) and is currently ongoing. This effort is expected to help mitigate erosion. A Detailed Project Proposal (DPP) has been submitted to the Water Development Board’s head office to address permanent erosion. If approved, work can begin to establish a long-term solution. Mamun Sharif, General Secretary of the Bhatiapara Bazar Samiti, mentioned that a railway line was established in the area during the British era, and river-based commerce began in Bhatiapara during the Nawabi period.

The region boasts a comprehensive road network, linking Bhatiapara port to the Dhaka-Benapole land port and Mongla port, underscoring its significance for trade. However, every year, traders in Bhatiapara face challenges due to the erosion of the Madhumati River. Following the onset of erosion this time, I learned that the Water Development Board is working to mitigate it by deploying 6,000 sandbags. However, it is not feasible to stop erosion solely by using geo bags in this manner. We are seeking a permanent solution to address the erosion issue. Some traders in the market noted that Bhatiapara port has been eroding for the past 50 years, with much of it having been lost to the Madhumati River. The Water Development Board constructed a permanent embankment in the most erosion-prone areas in 2002-2003. In several locations, the erosion continues to be a significant concern.