Jazira Upazila suffered the most Padma breach in Shariatpur district last monsoon. At that time, severe erosion occurred on the right bank of Padma river in Jazira upazila. In this, 7 km area is facing extensive damage. At that time, about five hundred families lost their homes and became destitute due to the collapse of the Padma. A Permanent Project Proposal (DPP) has been given for bank protection in an area of 8 km 670 meters worth Tk 1173 crore to prevent erosion. As the next monsoon is approaching, the fear is increasing among the people of Jazira’s Padma Par. 500 meters downstream in Pailan Molla Kandi area of East Naodoba Union as a result of removal of the crossdam constructed by the Bangladesh Bridge Authority (BBA) upstream of the Padma multi-purpose bridge; Around 2000 meters in Mohan Fakir Kandi, Kathuria Kandi, Padma Club area of Pal Char Union; About 4000 meters in Sardar Kandi, Khalifa Kandi, Durgarhat, Barakandi Model Academy School area of Barakandi Union; 500 meters in Pathalia Kandi area of Jazeera Union; Total = 500+2000+4000+500 = 7000.00 m area extensive erosion occurs. Bangladesh Water Development Board (BAPAUBO) took steps to prevent the erosion of the 3989 meter area by declaring an emergency, but it was not effective as the works were implemented during the monsoon. 146624 250 kg sand filled geobags and 3859 6 m length, 1.25 m diameter sand filled geo tubes at a cost of about Tk 11.00 crore were properly dumped but due to increase in flow and scouring of Padma river, the work was not strengthened for long. Hon’ble Deputy Minister of Ministry of Water Resources Mr. AKM Enamul Haque Shamim visited the erosion area on the ground on 10.09.2022 AD. While speaking at the local level, he announced that he will take appropriate measures to prevent the erosion of the right bank of the Padma river in Jazira upazila before the next monsoon season and start the work after approving the permanent project. According to the announcement of Hon’ble Deputy Minister, Water Development Board, Shariatpur office has already submitted a Permanent Project Proposal (DPP) to Water Development Board, Dhaka office. Mazhirghat zero point area of East Naodoba Union, strengthening of works already implemented by BBA. Okil Uddin Munshi Kandi of East Naodoba Union, Pailan Molla Kandi, Kathuria Kandi of Char Union of Pal, Mohan Fakir Kandi, Char Bazar area of Pal 4.00 km:. 4.670 km in Sardar Kandi, Khalifa Kandi, Durgar Hat in Barakandi Union and Pathalia Kandi in Jazira Union: Total 8.670 km:. The total expenditure has been estimated at 1173 crores. However, if the permanent project is not passed and the work is not started on time, massive erosion may occur in Jazira upazila in the coming monsoon season. Because the upstream and downstream of Padma multi-bridge bridge is currently witnessing extensive temporary char. Earlier, the main flow of Padma River was along the left bank, but now new char has arisen there. As a result, it is feared that the flow of upstream water during the monsoon season may increase the erosion tendency in the main bedrock of the right bank. Jamal Miah, a resident of Palerchar Union, said that the lives of our fathers and grandfathers have gone to the heart of the Padmani river, “We want a permanent berry dam, not relief.” Jalil Fakir of the same area said that in the last monsoon, two and a half bigha of my land including my residence and plants went into the Padma river. I am building a house again on the remaining land on the bank of the river. There will be no place to go if it collapses again in the next monsoon. I demand the government to take quick steps to prevent the collapse. Chairman of Palerchar Union, Abul Hossain Faraji said, “Our union is near the bank of Padma river, last year some villages have moved to Padma river, this time if the government does not take the necessary action, i.e. Beri Dam, Palerchar Union cannot be saved. Jazira Upazila Executive Officer Kamrul Hasan Sohail said, many educational institutions have been destroyed in the Padma river, some other educational institutions, haat-bazaar, religious institutions are under threat of destruction, if the government does not pass a permanent project soon, the geographical boundaries of Jazira will change. In this regard, Ahsan Habib, Chief Executive Engineer of Shariatpur District Water Development Board, said that Jazira Upazila has the highest number of breakdowns in Shariatpur district. We have submitted DPP for permanent breakdown. The project is being scrutinized by the ministry. If the project is passed, we can work permanently to prevent erosion. Also, anti-breakage is not possible.
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