Tk300cr project approved to protect Lalmonirhat from Dharla erosion

The government has approved a nearly Tk300 crore project to protect the right bank of the River Dharla in Lalmonirhat Sadar upazila from severe erosion.
The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) on Wednesday gave final approval to the project for constructing a riverbank protection embankment along vulnerable areas of the river, said Lalmonirhat Water Development Board Executive Engineer Sunil Kumar.
He said local residents had long been demanding permanent measures to protect the right bank of the Dharla from erosion. “Once implemented, the project will significantly reduce erosion-related damage and improve the safety of people and their properties along the river,” he said.
The Dharla’s water level and strong currents during the monsoon cause severe erosion in several parts of the upazila. Over the years, many families have lost their homes and agricultural land, while roads, educational institutions and other public and private facilities have also come under threat.
Local residents said some families have been forced to relocate several times as the river changed course and erosion affected new areas. Agricultural households are among the worst affected, with cropland, settlements and communication infrastructure facing recurring damage.
The proposed project is expected to establish a permanent protection system along the river’s right bank, safeguarding thousands of families as well as agricultural land, roads and important public and private institutions.
Locals welcomed the approval, saying they had been living with the threat of river erosion for years. They hoped the project would protect their homes, livelihoods and agricultural land and provide greater security for future generations.
However, experts and local residents stressed the need for prompt implementation and strict monitoring of construction quality. They called for the use of modern and sustainable riverbank protection technology, considering the Dharla’s changing course, water pressure and strong currents.
Water Development Board officials also expressed hope that proper implementation of the project would create a permanent protection zone along the Dharla’s right bank and significantly reduce the long-standing threat of erosion in the area.