TANGAIL, May 23: Water Resources Minister Shahid Uddin Chowdhury Anee, MP, has announced that construction of a permanent embankment will begin very soon to prevent erosion of the Jamuna River in Tangail Sadar Upazila.
He made the announcement after visiting erosion-prone areas in the upazila. He was accompanied by local Member of Parliament and Deputy Minister for Fisheries and Livestock, Sultan Salauddin Tuku.
The two ministers visited the river erosion-prone area in Charpauli Village under Kakuya Union in Sadar Upazila around 12 pm on Friday. Later, they took part in an exchange of views with the local people affected by erosion at the Mintu Memorial High School ground adjacent to the river.
Speaking as the chief guest at the meeting, Minister Shahid Uddin Chowdhury Anee said, "To fulfil the long-cherished expectations of the local people and in the public interest, construction of a permanent embankment to prevent erosion of the Jamuna River will begin from the next fiscal year."
He said, "Countless riverside people are affected every year by the erosion of the Jamuna River. The government has undertaken a long-term plan to protect these people from this suffering. An initiative has been taken to construct a permanent embankment at a cost of approximately Tk 50 crore to protect the erosion-prone areas of the Jamuna River in Tangail, and work will begin in the next fiscal year."
The minister further stated that the government is working day and night to implement its election manifesto. He noted that he had come to inspect the situation on the ground himself to take effective measures to prevent the erosion of the Jamuna.
In his address as the main speaker, Deputy Minister Sultan Salauddin Tuku said, "We do what we say. The government is working to fulfil the commitment we made before the election to build a permanent embankment to prevent erosion of the Jamuna."
He also said that besides alleviating the suffering of those affected by river erosion, various development works, including road construction, will be implemented for the development of the region, and all necessary steps will be taken in the interest of the local people.
Present on the occasion were Tangail Deputy Commissioner Sharifa Haque, Superintendent of Police Mohammad Shamsul Alam Sarkar, Chief Engineer of the Central Region of Bangladesh Water Development Board Md Shahjahan Siraj, along with other officials of the local administration.
Also present were District BNP President Hasanuzzamil Shahin, former member secretary Mahmudul Haque Sanu, Sadar Upazila BNP President Azgar Ali, former president of District Juba Dal and Chatra Dal Khandaker Ahmedul Haque Satil, Senior Joint Secretary of Sadar Upazila BNP Advocate Azim Uddin Biplab, along with party leaders, activists, and local dignitaries.
