Govt for lasting solution to Sylhet river erosion, flooding, says Muktadir

Commerce, Industries and Textiles and Jute Minister Khandakar Abdul Muktadir today said the government is moving towards a long-term and sustainable solution to the longstanding problems of river erosion, flooding and waterlogging in Sylhet.

To this end, the government will undertake a series of projects involving riverbank protection, re-excavation and integrated water management, said the minister while inaugurating riverbank protection work on the right bank of the Surma River at Kanisail in Sylhet Sadar upazila.

The work is being implemented under the Bangladesh Water Development Board’s project titled “Development of Surma-Kushiyara River Basin and Flood and Integrated Water Management Project (Phase-I).”

The minister said riverbank protection works would be implemented in phases at several erosion-prone points along the Surma River.

The planned protection works include 300 metres at Mirer Chowk, 400 metres at Mehendibagh, 550 metres at Kanisail, 500 metres at Toker Bazar and 500 metres at Mirergaon, he said.

He added that re-excavation and raising works along the Kushiyara and Basia rivers, along with riverbank protection works on the Sari and Arsharik rivers, would also be implemented in phases.

Emphasising the need to ensure quality in development projects, Muktadir called for active participation of local people in monitoring the works.

He proposed forming monitoring committees comprising local mosque imams, head teachers of schools, retired engineers and prominent citizens to regularly oversee the progress and quality of the projects.

The minister also urged all stakeholders to play a responsible role in preventing irregularities and corruption in development works.

He said a major project has been undertaken to address flooding and waterlogging in Sylhet.

Under the plan, embankments and roads stretching about 17 kilometres along each bank of the Surma River are proposed to be constructed.

Once implemented, the project would help control flooding while creating walking facilities for city residents and opening up new opportunities for river-based tourism, he said.

Muktadir said development in Sylhet requires a coordinated approach involving the government, city corporation, Bangladesh Water Development Board, local representatives, political leaders and the people.

He expressed hope that coordinated efforts would help achieve a lasting solution to river erosion, flooding and waterlogging in Sylhet and accelerate development activities in the region.

Sylhet Deputy Commissioner Abdullah Al Mamun chaired the programme.

Sylhet City Corporation Administrator Abdul Qayyum Chowdhury, BWDB Additional Chief Engineer Prabir Kumar Goswami, Sylhet Metropolitan BNP President Nasim Hossain, General Secretary Emdad Hossain Chowdhury, BNP District Joint General Secretary Siddiqur Rahman Paplus, local residents and media representatives attended the programme.