River erosion threatens Jahangir bridge

Erosion by Sugandha River is increasing in the district, endangering an important bridge and threatening to cut-off road communication between the southern region and other parts of the country.

Locals allege that the situation is getting worse due to lack of coordination between Roads and Highways Department (RHD) and Water Development Board (WDB), who are trying to transfer responsibility of erosion prevention to each others' shoulders.

The Rasheda-Mosharraf Academy ground and a mosque on the river bank were washed away within a few hours on Sunday.

Bir Shrestha Captain Mohiuddin Jahangir Bridge (BSCMJB) in Babuganj upazila of the district is also under threat. A large portion of the guide wall and bridge protection embankment has gone into the river within the last few days, endangering the bridge and the highway connecting the southern region with other parts of the country.

The mosque of Rasheda-Mosharraf Academy Complex on the riverbank collapsed due to erosion on Sunday night. Photo: Star

Locals said the river will soon devour BSCMJB, Rasheda-Mosharraf Academy, a mosque, 30 residential and eight commercial houses, and around 100 acres of cropland at Mohishadi village if immediate steps to stop erosion are not taken.

Vehicles ply the bridge approach road amid risk of accident as it (road) has been damaged at different points due to the impact of the river.

Though properties worth cores of taka are being destroyed every year, the authorities concerned have not yet taken necessary steps to save the area from erosion.

A sustainable master plan is needed to prevent erosion. Dumping of sand bags and geo-bags into the river are not the proper steps for that, said Advocate Sheikh Md Tipu Sultan, lawmaker of Worker's Party.

Executive engineer of RHD, Barisal, Shah Muhammad Shams Mokaddas said RHD can only repair the damaged roads and highways and prepare diversion roads, and WDB is responsible for not taking steps to check river erosion.

However, they have called a tender for repairing the roads after allocation of Tk 2 crore, and requested WDB to make a plan to prevent the erosion, he added.

It is the duty of RHD to protect the bridge and road from damage. We have not received any request from RHD for saving the highway and the bridge, said Ramzan Ali Sardar, chief engineer of WDB Barisal region.

A master plan to check erosion by the Sugandha was submitted to the water resources ministry. Necessary steps will be taken to stop river erosion after allocation of funds, he added.