Floodgate kept open to corruption?

Floods come with havoc almost every year due to overflow of the river or breach in its embankments at several points, but the authorities have lots of excuses for non-completion of the project in so long a time. But experts and other sources say untimely allocation of funds and corruption are the main causes. On the other hand, the project cost is rising every year.

The project work was started in 1976 and was supposed to be completed in 1983.

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A revised scheme was taken up in 1995-96 financial year with a budget of Tk 72 crore.

The project includes construction of 78 mile protection embankment on both banks of the river and protection wall at six points, loop cutting and construction of cross dam at six points, reconstruction of railway and road bridges in Shayestaganj, construction of two outlet drains and pump stations, re-excavation of 65 mile channel and 37 mile irrigation drain.

In the last 28 years, reconstruction of 93 km flood control embankment, 36 km submersible embankment, loop cutting at eight points, construction of two sluice gates and 28 irrigation structures were completed. Concrete blocks and boulders were dumped at places to protect riverbanks. Besides the main Khwai project, the Asian Development Bank provided Tk 16'53 crore for the Second (Habiganj) Town Co-ordinated Flood Protection Project. The amount was spent for protection of riverbanks with boulders at places and other retention works. The work continued till 2000.

The project was designed to irrigate 16,000 acres and protect another 63,000 acres from floods to produce additional 14,000 tonnes of food grains. In the current fiscal (2004-2005), Tk 2.7 crore has been sanctioned.

The sources said at least 22 points on both the banks of the river from Bulla of Chunarughat upazila to Habiganj town are now threatened with erosion.

Habiganj district suffered from serious flooding last month due to non-completion of the project.

If constructed, the embankment on both sides of the river from Balla border to Sujatpur union of Baniachang upazila could be used as road, which would greatly contribute to development of the area.