WDB tries to tame the swollen Jamuna

Sandbags are being dumped at Titporal to protect Shariakandi upazila headquarter from erosion by the Jamuna (left) and a section of BNP leaders and workers demonstrating against alleged irregularities in giving the work to some 'selected contractors' (right). PHOTO: STAR

The Shariakandi upazila headquarter is about 100 metres from the erosion point now.

The WDB has started dumping of sand bags at Titporal, Dhap, Dabdanga, Kalitola and adjoining area on the right bank of the Jamuna, involving an expenditure of Tk one crore 50 lakh.

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The WDB move came after the mighty river devoured lands and made about 500 families homeless in the areas in the last one month days.

The erosion is serious in Dhap and Kalitola areas, according to Shariakandi Upazila Nirbahi Officer Akbar Hossian.

Some WDB official talking to this correspondent said it is not possible to take permanent protection measures now as the rivers are in spate. The erosion is affecting the embankment in about 10 kilometres area from Partitporol to Dabdanga.

They however claimed that erosion at Partitporol point has been stopped following dumping of sandbags.

Protection of Shariakandi upazila headquarter is vital, because if it is washed away, the Jamuna and the Bangalee will merge, causing a disaster in the area.

This will threaten the western approach road of Jamuna Bridge, WDB Chief Engineer Saydur Rahman told newsmen last month.

The two rivers are about half a kilometre away from each other now.

The 10 kilometre embankment from Partitporol to Dabdanga was built at a cost of Tk 577 crore.

The WDB submitted a Tk 130 crore project earlier for protection of the embankment.

The World Bank in a report to the government in 1997 cautioned that the western approach road of the Jamuna Bridge will be affected if the Jamuna and the Bangalee rivers merge.

Meanwhile a section local ruling BNP leaders brought out a procession in the area, protesting alleged irregularities in giving the work to contractors.

But sources said they brought the allegation as they did not get share of Tk 1.5 crore work.