Mindless lifting of soil makes Alai riverbank vulnerable to collapse
Earth lifting by an influential contractor from Alai River bank in Gaibandha municipality area for filling up a low land makes the bank vulnerable to collapse in the upcoming rainy season.Photo: STAR
Labourers of a contractor are cutting soil from the bank of Alai river to fill up an adjacent low land in Gaibandha municipality, making the riverbank vulnerable to collapse in the coming rainy season. The land has been earmarked for earth filling under Second Town Integrated Flood Protection STIFP-2 project of Gaibandha municipality. Though it was stated in the work order that the contractor concerned to fill up the land, taking soil from suitable places, he (contractor) is implementing the project work, ignoring the condition. Local people said the river might engulf their croplands, eroding its bank in the coming rainy season. The authorities concerned have allocated Tk 1.10 lakh for earth filling in Baniyerjan area under Gaibandha municipality but the contractor is implementing the project, taking soil from khas land for free, they alleged. The contractor is taking soil not only from the riverbank but also from the adjacent land of local people without giving them any compensation, said Sobhan, a resident of the area. On April 15, locals tried to prevent the labourers from illegal earth cutting and locked in a clash with them. They also filed a case with Gaibandha Police Station in this regard. We have already filed a complaint with the mayor and sought his intervention to stop illegal earth cutting. We will go for tougher agitation if our demand is not met immediately, they said. Azher Ali, a counncillor of Gaibandha municipality, said he has been assigned by the mayor to investigate allegation. Cutting soil from riverbank for any purpose is illegal, he added. The contractor, Abdul Latif Hakkani, could not be contacted over cellphone despite several attempts. However, his manager Chandan Kumar Saha said they are cutting soil, taking permission from the competent authority.
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