Re-excavate Shyama Sundari canal

The canal, dug in 1894 to keep the town clean and free from diseases, is now derelict with garbage and a breeding ground for gertms and causing water-logging.

People of all walks of life spontaneously converged at the foot of the old plaque marking its excavation 110 years ago and also demanded planting of three on its banks and bringing it under pisciculture.

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The rally was organised by Natun Dhara, a local socio-cultural organisation.

A number dignitaries including renowned educationist and litterateur Motahar Hossain Sufi, poet Rowshan Ara Rubi and social worker Abdul Gani addressed the rally, presided over by advocate M A Bashar, convenor of Natun Dhara. Its chief organiser Firoz Hasan was the chief guest.

The speakers expressed strong resentment at the authorities' inaction in re-excavating the nine kilometre canal, once a life line of the town.

They deplored that the canal has turned as a safe breeding place for germs and polluting the environment of the town.

After the rally, memoranda were submitted to the district administration and the Rangpur municipality to fulfil the demands.

Otherwise, a greater movement will be launched, the memoranda said.

The canal was dug by the then Zamindar of Dimla Raja Janoki Ballav in 1894 and named after his mother Shayama Sundari.

Sayings go that prior to digging of the canal, diseases like malaria, kala-ajar, typhoid and diarrhoea were endemic as the town remained polluted by waste and stagnant water. The diseases decreased after its excavation as the canal worked as an outlet and kept the town clean.

But it was not re-excavated since it came int being, local people say.