Tk 200 cr down the drain

One of the six useless groynes built on the Brahmaputra in Gaibandha sadar upazila (left) and continued erosion in Sayedpur. PHOTO: STAR

The river is devouring vast areas every day. The six groynes built in the area under Flood Action Plan FAP-2 at a cost of Tk 200 crore is of no use to check the erosion, local people and other sources said.

Those were built in 1988 at Dhutichora in the Sadar upazila to divert the main stream of mighty Brahmaputra eastward to stop erosion along the west bank of the river from Dhutichora to Balashi Ghat and its approach towards Gaibandha town.

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But the erosion intensified after construction of the groynes as the river flow, instead of moving eastward, approached the west bank and intensified erosion in Bhaserpara, Kancipara, Sayedpur and Balashi areas.

Over 15000 people of these areas have become homeless since 1988.

The distance of Gaibandha town was about 10 kilometres from the erosion point in 1988, which is now about three and half kilometres, the sources and local people said during a visit to the area by this correspondent on Saturday.

Erosion is now threatening Gaibandha pourashava areas, said Akbar Hossain, chairman of Kanchipara Union Parishad.

But the Water Development Board (WDB) has not taken any initiative to stop the erosion in the areas. Instead, it has taken up two river bank protection projects in Fulchari and Kamarjani, involving Tk 42 crore.

While visiting Sayedpur, many erosion victims were seen shifting their houses and belongings to safe places.

"I have shifted my shop thrice due to erosion", said Kahlilur Rahman at Sayedpur.