Flood Control, Irrigation In 5 Sylhet Upazilas
Project to be delayed as another revision likely
There is little hope of early implementation of the Upper Surma-Kushiyara Irrigation and Flood Control Project covering five upazilas tough the area suffers colossal damage in flood almost every year.
The project covering Zakiganj, Kanaighat, Beanibazar, Golapganj and Sylhet Sadar upazilas was initiated in 2001 with an estimated cost of Tk 111 crore. It was scheduled to be completed by 2005-2006 financial year.
Six years have already passed while only 15 per cent work has been done and Tk 15 crore disbursed, Water development Board (WDB) sources said.
The project has been revised several times raising the initial estimated cost.
Yet another move is there to revise the project again.
The ministry of planning held a meeting with WDB officials weeks ago to make further changes in the project, the sources said yesterday.
It project area begins from the starting point of Surma and Kushiyara rivers at Amolshid border pointy in Zakiganj, covering lands along the rivers up to Golapganj and Sylhet Sadar.
Sylhet WDB Superintending Engineer GM Shamsur Rahman told the Daily Star that the project is being revised again by higher authorities.
Months ago, the project cost was raised by 58 per cent, involving Tk 181 crore and re-fixing FY 2009-10 for its completion.
It involves acquisition of 450 hectares of land at Tk 32 crore, construction and reconstruction of 159 KM embankments at Tk 33 crore, 20 drainage regulators at Tk 16 crore and a pumping station at Tk 36.15 crore, 813 irrigation structures, 56 kilometre drainage canals, installation of four irrigation pumps and two bridges, sources said.
The water resources ministry again asked for cutting the expenditure and formed a 4-member committee, which submitted its report.
Two months ago, the project was slightly revised and the cost was cut down to Tk 135 crore. It will be revised again, the source added.
Only 77 hectares of land could be acquired so far at Tk 6'22 crore and work on 41 KM embankments done at Tk 7 crore in Zakiganj and Kanaighat upazilas, Shamsur Rahman said.
Project structures can not be built without land acquisition, he said.
Only Tk 2.76 crore was disbursed against Tk 5 crore sanctioned preliminarily as ADP allocation for FY 2007-08.
Implementation of the project would provide irrigation facilities to 38,000 hectares of land. The project area covers over 49,000 hectares, said the official.
Lion share of the sanctioned money would be spent for land acquisition for construction of embankments and canals, which are vital for flood control in the five upazilas, the sources said.
The sources said 25 kilometre embankments should be constructed immediately. Otherwise, its implementation would be delayed.
This year, the region experienced repeated and prolonged floods by waters rolling from Indian hills, leaving a colossal damage to crops and houses.
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