Bangladesh Water Development Board’s project to save the Karnaphuli has been in limbo as the water resources ministry is yet to review the estimated cost in line with the government’s cost containment policy.
Meanwhile, BWDB officials say river erosion in Chattogram’s Boalkhali upazila keeps wreaking havoc on the lives of at least 120,000 people, and that number would gradually rise if the project is not implemented soon.
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Tayan Kumar Tripura, project director and executive engineer of Rangamati BWDB, told The Daily Star they sent the ministry a development project proposal (DPP) with a cost estimation of Tk 144 crore in 2021, mentioning that the project was crucial.
The project, to be implemented by the BWDB, was scheduled to begin in July last year and be completed by June 2025 with full government funding, according to the DPP.
After primary approval, the proposal was forwarded to the planning wing of the ministry by its DPP board, said Tayan Kumar, adding that that was where the project ground to a halt.
He, however, said, “We spoke to AKM Enamul Haque Shamim, deputy minister of the water resources ministry, when he recently visited the port city. He promised a quick approval of the project.”
According to the proposal, a 7.4km-long sustainable dam will be built, while 2.4km-long dams will be built on both banks of the river. In addition to those, dams will be built to guard the banks of five branch canals of the river.
The board’s data showed that due to rapid erosion, 150 small industrial structures, 45 roads, 20 bridge-culverts, 3,750 homes, 140 km of electric lines, five markets, 12 different public and private educational and religious institutions, six different public and private buildings, and 2,500 hectares of agricultural land are at risk.
During a recent visit to the area, this correspondent found that there was no permanent embankment, due to which the residents of numerous settlements near the river live in constant fear of erosion.
“The Karnaphuli had earlier devoured my house and crop lands. I had to rebuild my entire life. I demand that the [issue of] erosion be solved permanently,” said Nur Uddin, a resident of Boalkhali.
Aliur Rahman, general secretary of Chattogram River and Canal Protection Movement, told The Daily Star that the socioeconomic situation in Boalkhali is not improving due to frequent river erosion.
“Many people have been uprooted and lost their homes. Meanwhile, children living near the riverbanks are unable to attend school.”
If long-lasting dams are not constructed to stop river erosion, it will worsen the situation and the people will suffer more, he added.
Speaking to The Daily Star, SM Rezaul Mustafa Kamal, additional secretary of the planning wing of the ministry, said that due to the government’s cost containment policy, they cannot sanction projects unless there is a dire need.
However, he said the deputy minister has asked them to specifically look into this project, and so the DPP will be sent to the water commission soon.
According to a 2012 assessment by the Department of Environment, at least 35 of the 140 different species of the river are not found there anymore.
On the other hand, a list created by the Chattogram District Administration, in response to a 2010 High Court order, said the Karnaphuli has fallen victim to 2,112 grabbers along its 40km-long banks, from Kalurghat to Patenga.
