Moynul Haque Mridha, Rajbari

Sudden erosion of Padma river occurred at Daulatdia Ferry Ghat of Goalando Upazila of Rajbari. More than one and a half hundred families and business establishments are threatened in disappearing. Ferry No. 6 built by BIWTA on the way to the river.

On Monday (Nov 13) at around 10 o'clock , while visited Daulatdia No. 6 Ferry Ghat area and talked to the locals said that the river suddenly started eroding next to No. 6 Ferry Ghat from Sunday morning at around 9 o'clock in the morning. At this time, about 60 feet went under the river. Another 200 feet is cracked. There is a danger of collapse at any time.

Barek Mridha, a resident of Padma bank , said, if there is another pressure, my house and business will go under the river. Not only my house, hundreds of families and several businesses in the area are on the way to the river. He said sadly, twice my house disappeared under the river. I have been living in this place for some time. I have four daughters. Two daughters are married. The other two girls are studying in Hons. I have no source of income except this shop. Now if the house is destroyed in the river, I have to go to the street and stand.

A person named Nekbar Ali said, I only get assurances every year. However, I do not see any reality of river governance. Meanwhile, the image of the ghat is getting smaller every year due to river erosion. Hundreds of nearby residents are at risk of becoming homeless. When the erosion started, the BIWTA authorities came and inspected them on Monday morning.

A businessman named Masud said, Daulatdia Ferry Ghat is an important point. This area is affected by river erosion every year. However, no permanent measures have been taken to manage the river. However, the concerned authorities ended the responsibility by throwing some geo bags filled with sand in the river to show people.

At this time, several women said that even if they don't come now, the time to ask for votes will come. No Member-Chairman shall be visible in times of danger. We are helpless. We have no body.

Chairman of Daulatdia Union Parishad Abdur Rahman Mondal said, I have been seeing the place affected by river erosion at Ferighat No. 6. Assuring urgent measures to prevent erosion, he said, if the river is not permanently controlled, there will be no trace of Daulatdia Union. The name of Daulatdia will disappear from the map.

Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) Aricha Port Deputy Engineer Sahidul Islam said that the river has not started to erode due to the current. As the water in the river receded, some of the geo bags filled with sand moved away. Due to which 1/2 pressure of the river bank has fallen.

However we will arrange to throw some geo bags filled with sand into the river to prevent erosion. He also said that the water layer has gone down a lot. 60 feet have broken since yesterday till today.