‘Permanent embankment to be built on River Jamuna to curb erosion’

Water Resources Minister Md Shahiduddin Chowdhury Anne said on Friday that a permanent embankment will be constructed on the River Jamuna in Tangail from the next fiscal year to curb river erosion and protect affected people in the area.

The announcement was made while addressing a views-exchange meeting with erosion-hit residents at Mintu Memorial High School ground near the riverbank, according to a press release.

He said the long-demanded embankment will be built to prevent erosion and protect public interest, saying that erosion causes serious hardship for people every year causing the government has taken a long-term plan to address the problem permanently. 

He said an initiative has been taken to build a permanent embankment at an estimated cost of around Tk50crore to protect erosion-prone areas. It will safeguard thousands of people from erosion and contribute to the economic development of the region, he added. He also said that alongside reducing the suffering of erosion-affected people, various development projects including road construction will be implemented for the overall improvement of the area, and necessary measures will be taken in the public interest. 

Tangail Deputy Commissioner Sharifa Haque, Superintendent of Police Mohammad Shamsul Alam Sarkar, and Chief Engineer of the Central Region of Bangladesh Water Development Board Md Shahjahan Siraj also spoke at the programme. 

Tangail Sadar Upazila Nirbahi Officer Md Shahin Mia, BNP leaders, local public representatives, government officials, political leaders and residents of erosion-affected areas were present at the programme.