Jamuna Bridge east guide embankment vulnerable
Plying of vessels close to it, sand lifting cause erosion
Erosion caused by waves due to rampant plying of sand-laden engine boats threatens the east side guide embankment of Jamuna Bridge, left, boats wait for loading sand at a river channel.Photo: STAR
The east side guide embankment of Jamuna Bridge is becoming vulnerable due to erosion caused mainly due to plying of vessels very close it and sand lifting. The embankment is only about 100 yards from the shoreline. Plying of any river transport or movement of people is prohibited within 50 metres of the embankment, but it is not enforced. The river close to the shoreline is virtually free for all. The erosion is accentuated by movement of vessels including sand-loaded ones, which create big waves that hit the coastline, sources and locals told this correspondent during a recent visit. A syndicate of sand traders is lifting sand and doing brisk business, obstructing the Jamuna channel. They have illegally made several culverts for movement of trucks, which will also threaten the embankment. The restrictions to protect the embankment are not followed strictly, sources in Jamuna Bridge Authority (JMB) said. Hundreds of sand-laden engine boats ply near the danger zone of the embankment every day. Though banned, people including tourists and cattle also move freely on the embankment, which is very important for protection of the bridge, experts said. Some senior officials of JMB however claimed that actually it is mentioned in the guidelines that vessels should not touch the guide embankment. The course of Jamuna river might return to its former channel and the approach road of the bridge may be damaged if GO Textile of the guide embankment is affected, they added. The stones used in the guide embankment to keep the soil intact were brought from Indonesia, JMB sources said. Some locals also claimed that small stones are often stolen. Denying the all allegations, officials of Jamuna Bridge Authority said a 3-member team including executive engineer Liakat Ali and assistant directors Ashraf Ali and Aktaruzzaman visited the guide embankment on February 23. There is no chance of stealing stones of the guide embankment as embankment is under strict watch, they said. Somnath Lahiri, senior researcher of Bangladesh Environment Lawyers Association (BELA) in Tangail, said obstruction of the channel will give rise to shoals, which will change the river course and accentuate erosion. On the other hand, Pingna-Jokarchar-Nolin flood protection embankment near the bridge is also threatened as hundreds of sand-laden trucks move there everyday. This will affect the embankment, Water Development Board (WDB) officials in Tangail said. Officials of Jamuna Bridge Authority said they have written to the local administration to remove sand business from near the guide embankment. Fazlul Kabir, officer-in-charge (OC) of JMB East police station, said he received a later from JMB assistant engineer Tofazzal Hossain on March 17 to stop the illegal sand business. "We have asked sand traders and others concerned to move away from near the guide embankment," he told this correspondent. When contacted, Abu Sufian, superintendent engineer of Jamuna Bridge, said they are conducting a study on the matter. "Big engine boats should not play near the guide embankment as it may damage the stones," he added. When contacted, Tangail additional deputy commissioner (revenue) Abul Hassan said some sand traders filed a writ petition to High Court against an order to stop it. "We have informed higher authorities”, he said.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel.
Comments