Tabarak Lakshmipur Correspondent : Sand-filled geo bags are being positioned in Raipur, Laxmipur to mitigate the erosion of the Meghna River. Over the last 15 days, the Water Development Board’s Laxmipur office has been engaged in placing approximately 17,000 geo bags across a 266-meter stretch at Altaf Master Fish Ghat in Charindruria village, located in the Uttar Charbangshi union of the upazila.
Reports indicate that the rising intensity of the Meghna River in Uttar Charbangshi Union has resulted in erosion affecting 10-15 villages across three unions, including areas within one kilometer of the Altaf Master Hilsa Fish Ghat (a tourist spot). Agricultural land, residential properties, two government primary schools, several electricity poles, roads, and 20 hotels are all at risk of being eroded. Last year, over 50 houses and shops within a 10-kilometer radius were inundated by the river.
This situation has prompted the publication of multiple on-site reports over the years, which in turn led the Paubo authorities to initiate riverbank protection projects.
As per sources from the Water Development Board, the urgent project to lay around 17,000 geo bags as part of the river protection dam initiative is currently in progress, with an estimated cost of about 89 lakh taka. No contractor has been assigned to this task; instead, the executive engineer is overseeing the work directly, driven by the initiative of the Laxmipur district office of the PAUBO.
Former Upazila Chairman Master Altaf Hossain Howlader remarked, “I have been alerting various departments about this river erosion for several years, but no action was taken. Finally, geo bags are being deployed in the 266-meter area. My elder brother, the former UP chairman, and I have been present in this area for the past 15 days. The situation has improved significantly. However, the Water Development Board has stated that ongoing efforts are necessary to prevent further erosion.
Upazila Executive Officer Imran Khan stated, “I am aware of the erosion occurring along the Meghna River. The previous UNO also addressed this issue. Since my arrival, I have engaged in discussions with the former Upazila and UP chairman, as well as with the Paubo. The work has finally commenced, but the remaining tasks will be completed in phases.
On Sunday (July 13), Nahid Uz Zaman, the executive engineer for the Lakshmipur district at the Water Development Board, remarked, “Previously, we submitted a request to the ministry for permission to use geo bags. Earlier this year, we received approval for a stretch of 266 meters, with an estimated cost of around 8.9 million taka. We are now in a position to proceed with the work. Should the erosion intensify, we will submit requests for additional areas.”
