The New Nation - Internet Edition

Our Correspondent, Sirajganj

The construction works of three embankments on the western bank of Jamuna River before the upcoming flood has become uncertain due to negligence of construction firms and lack of proper supervision by the authorities concerned of Water Development Board (WDB). As a result, Sirajganj dwellers may face the of floods this year and may lose huge properties including lands, homesteads, domestic animals, paddy, rice and vegetables like last year, it is apprehending.

Jamuna has started swelling due to onrush of water from upstream that creating fear of again flood to the people in the area in coming monsoon. Though the WDB authorities claimed that, the construction work of the three dams will complete before the flood of this year, but no progress is found practically in the site due to slow movement by the construction firms, causing tension over flood mounting to the Sirajganj dwellers.

WDB that, three separate projects of flood control dam construction of Tk. 19,25,85000 have been under taken by Bangladesh Government through Water Development Board (WDB) in Sirajganj to protect thousands of people and huge wealth of the district including vast track of croplands and many establishments from floods and erosion by the river Jamuna. The three projects are: 5.88 Kilometers of flood control dam from Maizbari to Shubhgachha in Kazipur upazila, where the government sanctioned Tk 9,54,75000,t 2 Kilometers of flood control dam from Shubhgachha to Simla in the same upazila, where sanctioned Tk. 1,74,40000 and 8.46 Kilometers of dam from Ranigram to Panchthakuri village in Sirajganj Sadar upazila, where sanctioned Tk. 7,96,70000.

The Water Development Board (WDB) gave the work permit to five construction firmstSiam International Construction Ltd, Sultan Ahmed Construction Ltd, Md. Mokhlesur Rahman Construction Ltd, S. M Liakot Ali Construction Ltd and Reja Construction Ltd (RCL).

The construction firms had been started the works of two projects since January in this year, while work of another project had been started since mid the last month. District administration and WDB officials alleged that, if the constructions of the three projects are completed in scheduled (proper) time, about 25 lakh of people in nine upazilas of the district with thousands of homesteads, Hats-Bazars, Schools-Colleges-Madrashas, government and non-government offices and hundreds acres of croplands will safe from the onslaught of flood. The dams also will safe people from erosion by Jamuna. But, if the construction works are not completed before the flood of this year, the Sirajganj dwellers would be faced extreme difficulties, they also further alleged. The sources mentioned that, continuous erosion by the mighty river Jamuna and floods have been damaging huge properties in the district year after year. But, due to lack of proper plan and initiative by the hi-up authorities concerned, checking to them did not possible.

WDB sources said, people of five upazilas like Kazipur, Belkuchi, Sirajganj Sadar, Shahzadpur and Chowhali are highly affected by the flood and erosion every year. Due to lack of protection dam or embankment, Jamuna flows over it banks and engulfs the locality easily.

While asked about their negligent, mismanagement and irregularities, he also denied the allegation and said we are stressing the contractors to complete the construction before flood. Sirajganj dwellers demanded the WDB to finish the works of the flood control embankments absolutely before flood of this year.