Moynul Haque Mridha, Rajbari

Erosion has again occurred across the river in Daulatdia Ferighat area of Goalando upazila of Rajbari.

In the last three days, a 20-meter part of the riverbank collapsed and disappeared into the Padma next to ghat number 6. In addition, due to the formation of small and large cracks in many places, the ferry wharf and the neighboring Daulatdia village are under threat of erosion. Villagers are in fear of erosion.

Goalando Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Joti bikas Chandra and BIWTA Aricha Region Executive Engineer Zahirul Islam informed about the erosion.

Former Upazila Parishad Chairman Mostafa Munshi, Daulatdia Union Parishad Chairman Abdur Rahman Mondal visited the erosion affected area at Daulatdia Ferry Ghat. At this time, they assured the people that as soon as possible, arrangements will be made to put sand-filled geobags.

At this time, some people complained and said that during the monsoon season, a few sacks of geobags will eat money, but those geobags will not be of any use. As always, we will again accept some family breakdowns and become homeless.

Lima Akhter, another resident of Chhattar member neighborhood, said, we only get assurances every year. But I don't see any reality of river governance. Meanwhile, every year due to the erosion of the river, the image of the ferry port is getting smaller and smaller.

Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Corporation (BIWTC) Daulatdia Ghat office and local sources say that thousands of vehicles ferry through this ghat every day. Meanwhile Daulatdia Ghat is a river erosion prone area. Every year there is a massive river erosion during the monsoon season. This time the locals are panicking before the erosion season begins.

Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) Aricha Port Deputy Engineer Rishad Ahmed said, We have visited the ghat area. The river has not started eroding because of the current. As the water in the river receded, some of the geo bags filled with sand moved away.

Due to which 1/2 of the river bank is under pressure. As soon as possible arrangements will be made to drop some geo bags full of sand in the river after talking to the higher authorities.

After the inspection, Goalando UNO Joti bikas Chandra said, "Due to the decrease in river water, erosion has occurred in some places of Daulatdia Ghat." Geo bags will be thrown to prevent erosion.