Jamuna River embankment construction to begin soon: Water Resources Minister

The government will begin construction of a permanent embankment along erosion-prone sections of the Jamuna River from the next fiscal year, Water Resources Minister Shahid Uddin Chowdhury Annie announced on Friday.

He also outlined a long-term plan to protect thousands of riverside residents from recurring damage.

The minister made the remarks while addressing a public meeting after inspecting erosion-hit areas in Charpauli under Kakua union of Tangail Sadar upazila. 

He said the initiative is aimed at fulfilling a long-standing public demand and safeguarding communities that suffer losses every year due to riverbank erosion.

According to the minister, the government has taken up a project worth প্রায় 50 crore taka to construct a permanent embankment in vulnerable areas of Tangail. Work on the project is scheduled to begin in the upcoming fiscal year. 

He added that the government is working around the clock to implement its election pledges and that his field visit was intended to assess the situation directly to ensure effective measures against erosion.

State Minister for Fisheries and Livestock Sultan Salauddin Tuku said the government is committed to delivering on its pre-election promise to build a permanent embankment along the Jamuna. 

He added that alongside erosion control, road construction and other development initiatives would be implemented to improve living conditions in the affected region.

The inspection and meeting were attended by Tangail Deputy Commissioner Sharifa Haque, Superintendent of Police Mohammad Shamsul Alam Sarkar, Chief Engineer of the Bangladesh Water Development Board Central Region Md Shahjahan Siraj, senior local officials, political leaders and residents of the erosion-affected areas.