Residents of Ashashuni Upazila's central market area and those living near the WAPDA embankment are living in fear as severe river erosion threatens to engulf their homes and livelihoods. Amid this crisis, the Water Development Board (WDB) has issued a notice to remove structures within 15 days, further intensifying local anxiety.
The Ashashuni Bazaar and surrounding areas have long suffered from river erosion. Numerous shops, the old hospital, government offices, and hundreds of bighas of land have already disappeared into the Kapotakkho River. Local residents had earlier demanded that dredging work be done according to the original CS (Cadastral Survey) map to protect the market and nearby homes. Despite demonstrations, human chains, protest meetings, and repeated appeals to higher authorities, their calls went unheeded—allegedly due to political influence.
Now, it is becoming evident how justified those demands were. If dredging had been done as per the CS map, the market could have been preserved in its original position. Unfortunately, due to uneven dredging, many shops, institutions, and residences that had previously relocated now face the threat of destruction again.
Locals warn that unless immediate action is taken, what remains of the market—along with the Upazila Parishad, police station, schools, shops, homes, and offices—could soon be devoured by the river.
They are urging authorities to remove only the structures absolutely necessary to maintain river flow. People who have been living and conducting business near the embankment for years ask: if the WDB doesn’t plan to build anything there, why should they be evicted? Instead, they demand legal recognition and the ability to pay rent or taxes to continue living and working there lawfully.
The most pressing demand from the local community is for the urgent construction of permanent embankments and protective blocks to halt the erosion and save what remains.
UNO Krishna Roy visited the erosion-affected area on Monday afternoon (July 7) at 3 PM. She listened to the concerns of the affected residents and assured them that she would consult with the District Commissioner and relevant authorities to take appropriate measures.
Among those present during the visit were: Market Committee President Zakir Hossain Prince, General Secretary ABM Alomgir Pintu, Vice Presidents Lecturer Yahia Iqbal and Billal Hossain, Treasurer Ahsan Ullah, Press Club President GM Al Faruque, Founder President GM Mujibur Rahman, Akash Hossain, Ala Uddin, Mostafizur Rahman, and Linkon Aslam.
