Ferry terminal, homesteads under serious threat

Ferry terminal and homesteads in Amrajhuri area under Kawkhali upazila of the district are under serious threat as erosion by the Shondhya River has taken an alarming turn.

Locals said the pontoon and gangway of the ferry and several houses and shops in the area have already been shifted to other places because of continuous erosion. Other houses in the area are also at serious risk.

Pirojpur Roads and Highways Department (RHD) sources said that the pontoon and gangway of the ferry terminal had to be shifted several times.

Trader Md Shah Alam of Amrajhuri area said other shopkeepers were not safe even now as the river is engulfing the area every day.

"Every year we have to shift our shops and other establishments to save them from erosion. But this year, erosion has taken a serious turn," Shah Alam said, adding that this year over 20 shopkeepers have shifted their shops within two months from the ferry terminal area.

"Shondhya riverbed urgently needs dredging to prevent erosion. Otherwise, most areas of my union, including Amrajhuri ferry terminal and bazar, will go into the river," said Krishna Lal, chairman of Amrajhuri Union Parishad (UP).

Md Fazle Rabbi, executive engineer of RHD in Pirojpur, said it is the duty of the Water Development Board (WDB) to prevent erosion and duty of the RHD is to keep ferry service running.

"We have asked WDB to protect Amrajhuri ferry terminal area from erosion," said the engineer, adding that he has informed his higher authority of the matter.

 Sayeed Ahmed, executive engineer of WDB in Pirojpur, said they have sent 23 proposals, including protection of Amrajhuri ferry terminal area, to their Dhaka office.

"After approval of the project we will be able to start working for protecting Amrajhuri ferry terminal," the engineer added.