Dredging of Gabkhan channel finally comes to a halt

The 15-kilometre long and 50-metre wide Gab Khan channel, known as the Suez Canal of Bangladesh, was excavated in 1918 to link Bishkhali river with Kacha and Sandhaya rivers and shorten 112 kilometre distance in the Dhaka-Khulna river route by introducing one-way navigation.

Dredging and re-excavation of the channel was started on August 25 this year to widen it and introduce two-way navigation. The work involving Tk 16 crore was inaugurated by Shipping Minister Akbor Hossain.

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The project is designed to widen the channel up to 100 meters with a depth of up to 4 meters to allow two-way navigation and plying of large vessels. But the dredging was suspended only 20 days after the inauguration. The four-year project is scheduled to complete in July 2007.

Allegations have it that the responsibility was given to some private companies which do not own dredgers or other sophisticated instrument needed for such big work.

Bangla Khanak, a reconditioned dredger engaged by Banga Traders Limited, went out of order a week ago. The dredger, abandoned by BIWTA, was purchased by the company and reconditioned, sources said.

Isahauqe Ali, operator of the dredger (Banga Khanak) however told this correspondent that that the work has been suspended as the dredging pump is out order. The work will resume after repair of the pump, he said.

As per plan, three lakh cubit feet of earth will be removed from the channel. So far, only 16,000 cubic feet of earth has been removed, Ali said.

Two other companies-- Multiple Equipment and Engineering Limited and SS International Limited-- given work order could not yet start operation, allegedly because they have no dredger.

The lone government owned dredger (no. 136) engaged in dredging the channel also went out of order on Tuesday last. Its Master Golam Mustafa said the dredger stopped operation after trouble in the hydraulic engine. The engine has been sent to Barisal for repair, he said.

As per terms and conditions of the tender document, if any company fails to start work within two weeks of work order, their contract would be cancelled.

When contacted, Engineer Muhammad Rabbani at BIWTA Barisal office declined to make any comment as the ministry completed the tender procedure. He however said dredging would resume as early as possible.

The four-year project for Gabkhan channel excavation and dredging was approved by the Executive Committee of National Economic Council (ECNEC) on December 11 last year.

The work was delayed due to fund crisis.

The channel was closed for all kinds of vessels for over three weeks after a clinker laden cargo vessel-- CV Trishna-1sank there following a collision with an oil tanker --OT Jamuna-- on March 10 this year.