'Padma River dredging in the offing'

FT ONLINE

Fazley Hossain Badsha MP said step has been taken to bring back navigability in the Pabma River through dredging in Rajshahi.

In the preliminary stage, a six-kilometer area from Shreerampur to Sonaikandi will be brought under dredging with an estimated cost of around Taka 28 crore. Tender has already been floated and the work is expected to start by just after the coming monsoon.

Lawmaker Badsha made this observation while visiting the progress of the ongoing embankment protection work at Harupur area under Paba Upazila in Rajshahi on Wednesday.

Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB) is implementing the protection works on 2,650 meter areas from Bulanpur to Harupur area in five packages at a cost of around Taka 268.70 crore, said Executive Engineer Mukhlesur Rahman who accompanied the lawmaker during the visit.

Upon completion of the present works by this coming June, embankment protection works on another 2,255 meter area from Harupur to Sonaikandi will start. Simultaneously, the dredging works will be continued, he added.

Fazle Hossain Badsha said Padma River has now turned into a white desert. Water disappears months before the dry or summer season in this area.

Sixty per cent of the river area becomes pasture in dry season while 40 per cent of water flow is divided into three parts. This situation of the rivers exists from November to July.

Government has taken a decision to dig 19 rivers around the country. The unplanned sand extracting has been hampering the natural water flow in the river. He demanded a long term plan to protect the rivers of the country.

He also said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina believes coordinated action can protect and revive the rivers of Bangladesh and ensure the future economic development of the country.

"We know that civilizations were raised on the banks of the rivers," Badsha said. "There are many rivers in Bangladesh and the river routes are the best ways for trade and business.