Narayanganj Correspondent

The Haridhoya River of Araihazar upazila’s of Narayanganj District is suffocating under pollution. The water has turned pitch black, and an unbearable stench emanates when touched. Using this water has caused widespread skin diseases.

In the entire Gopaldi Bazar municipality, ailments like itching and other dermatological issues have become rampant due to the river. Once a source of life, the Haridhoya River's water has now become a death threat, primarily because of industrial establishments. Some factory owners, prioritizing their profits, are pushing this river toward its demise.

The Haridhoya River flows into the Araihazar upazila through Madhabdi in Narsingdi district. The Narsingdi Sadar upazila hosts numerous rivers and waterways, among which Meghna and Haridhoya are noteworthy. Out of the 14 unions of Narsingdi Sadar, four are char areas surrounded by the Meghna River. The Haridhoya River separates Narsingdi Sadar and Shibpur upazilas.

This historically significant river of Narsingdi-Araihazar upazilas of Narayanganj District has now become toxic. Its polluted waters are no longer fit for use, causing immense hardship to the riverbank inhabitants. Additionally, encroachment threatens its very existence. Poisonous industrial waste has turned the river into a curse for the locals, wreaking havoc on agriculture, the environment, and biodiversity.

Thousands of families from villages like Bouakura, Hajipur, Birpur, Puranpara, Baduarchar, Putia, Sherpur, Bharatkandi, Ghoradia, Sonatala, Kararchar, Charnogardi, Noakanda, Gozaria, and Shalurdia along the riverbanks are living in extreme misery. Once, many fishing families depended on this river for their livelihood.

The Haridhoya River, located in the north-central region of Bangladesh’s Narsingdi district, spans 38 kilometers in length and averages 61 meters in width. Its serpentine nature is well-known. The Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB) identifies the river under its north-central region as River No. 61.

The Haridhoya River, flowing past Narsingdi district town, was once swift and vibrant—a blessing for the residents. Originating near the Shitalakshya River in the southwest of Monohardi upazila and northwest of Shibpur upazila, the river meanders 60-70 kilometers before merging with the Meghna River at the southeast corner of Narsingdi district town. Historically, the river played a significant role in trade and transportation. Riverbank agriculture was abundant, and its waters were teeming with local fish species.

Nepal Chandra Das, a fisherman from Hajipur village, laments, “For generations, we have lived by fishing in the Haridhoya River. But now, due to waste from several factories, the water has deteriorated so much that not just fish, but even snakes, frogs, and insects are disappearing.”

In the suburban areas of Ghoradia, Kararchar in Shibpur, and BSCIC industrial city, industrial waste discharged directly into the river has turned its water black. This toxic water has polluted the Meghna River as well. The stench from the polluted water makes movement along the riverbanks unbearable.

Mahabubur Rahman Bhuiyan, a resident of Kararchar village, said, “The stench from the polluted river water has made it impossible to stay at home. Day and night, the suffocating smell is unbearable.”

Authorities Respond to Pollution :

Md. Ataur Rahman, senior chemist of the Department of Environment, stated, “Most factory owners in Narsingdi are affiliated with influential political parties.”

Joint operations by the Narsingdi and Dhaka offices recently imposed fines totaling approximately 10 million BDT on several factories, including the River Bangla Group, Samari Dyeing Chemicals, Pran Company, Hamid Fabrics, and Baishakhi Spinning Mills.

The Narsingdi district administration reported that effluent treatment plants (ETPs) are being installed in all industrial establishments. Once operational, they expect to resolve the river’s pollution issues. Authorities have pledged stringent measures to protect the Haridhoya River and prevent environmental degradation.

The Haridhoya River now faces dual threats of pollution and sedimentation. Lack of dredging and proper conservation has left parts of the river dry, halting navigation. From Meghna’s estuary to Shibpur’s Putia Bazaar, the river winds through the town and Hajipur village. Once a major route for trade and transportation, the river now struggles to sustain its purpose.

The 15-kilometer stretch from Narsingdi town northwards toward Araihazar in Narayanganj has completely dried up, making navigation impossible. Consequently, transportation costs have risen, with traders incurring an additional 5 to 10 BDT per *maund* of goods transported via land routes. This cost increase is passed on to consumers, making goods more expensive for the poor.

Neglect in dredging and river maintenance has frustrated locals. Residents demand immediate dredging to restore the Haridhoya River, alleviate the financial burden on the public, and protect Narsingdi’s market economy.