Shahidul Islam Swapan, Brahmanbaria

The Vice Chairman of Akhaura Upazila and Awami League leader Md Murad Hossen Bhuiyan has allegedly obstructed the normal flow of the Howrah River by filling it near south of the Bongaj Steel Bridge in Dharkhar Union of Akhaura Upazila of Brahmanbaria district by constructing a road to lift the soil of the Five Star Brick kiln owned by him.

Howrah River is a transboundary river between Bangladesh and India. The river has a natural flow with a length of 10 kilometers and an average width of 40 meters. The identification number given by the Bangladesh Water Development Board is 24 in the South East Region.

The Howrah River originates from the hilly regions of the Indian state of Tripura and enters Bangladesh through Akhaura Upazila of Brahmanbaria District. Then it flows some distance and falls into Titas river of Akhaura upazila.

To the south of Bongaj Steel Bridge in Dharkhar Union of Akhaura Upazila, the normal flow of this important river is barricaded by construction of a road with a temporary bridge between the two banks of the river to lift soil for the Five Star brick factory ( Brick kiln) owned by the Akhaura Upazila Vice Chairman Murad Hossain Bhuiyan , which negatively affects irrigation and production.

During a spot investigation, the residents of the affected area demanded the authorities to remove this road.

When contacted the Vice Chairman said that the Howrah River has been dammed and bridged to take the soil used as raw material for the brick kiln owned by him, but the soil will be removed after some times and the width of the river will be returned to the previous size.

Later, Akhaura UNO said that he had heard the matter and he would talk in this regard next, though he didn't receive any phone later.