WDB spent Tk 15 cr for two sluice gates , farmers not getting benefits in Moheshkhali
Md Ramjan Ali, Moheshkhali-Kutubdia (Cox's Bazar)
On the 15- km embankment in Shaplapur, Moheshkhali, the Water Development Board (WDB) has spent nearly 15 crore taka on the construction of two sluice gates, but farmers are not getting any benefits. Farmers have been suffering extensive damage to their crops due to saline water from the tide for a long time.
Erosion began on the WDB's embankment on the eastern side of Jamirchhari village in Shaplapur in 2021. Due to the lack of necessary measures at that time, the extent of erosion has been increasing day by day. Because the embankment is unprotected, during the rainy season, JMghat in Shaplapur Union and the eastern side of Jamirchhari village get submerged, disrupting crop production on nearly 300 kani of arable land. Most farming families are facing problems and suffering due to the inability to cultivate during each rainy season.
Local farmer Mohammad Anisul Haque stated that if the sluice gates are not constructed quickly on the embankment, saline water will enter and ruin countless rice fields.
Union Parishad member Abdu Salam mentioned that although the Water Development Board repairs the embankment every few years, the lack of necessary sluice gates is causing damage to the crops.
Chairman Abdul Khalek Chowdhury stated that during the construction of the embankment in 1978, there was a plan to construct 9 sluice gates, of which 5 sluice gates were built, but the necessary additional 4 sluice gates have not been constructed. In the meantime, I have informed the Water Development Board and the relevant ministry about this issue related to public interest.
Attempts to contact Executive Engineer of the Water Development Board, Mohammad Nurul Islam, multiple times for his statement were unsuccessful as he could not be reached on his mobile.
UNO Mohammad Hedayet Ullah said that I have requested the higher authorities to take necessary measures to ensure that the crops of the farmers are not damaged by the tidal water.
