Feni pins hopes on Tk 1,542cr flood control project

FENI, July 7: The government's approval of a Tk 1,542.16 crore project to rehabilitate the Muhuri-Kahuya Flood Control, Drainage and Irrigation Project has raised hopes among residents of Feni, who say they want permanent flood protection instead of repeated relief assistance.

The project was recently approved at an ECNEC meeting chaired by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman at the Bangladesh Secretariat.

 Once implemented, it is expected to reduce flooding caused by heavy rainfall and flash floods from India's Tripura state.

Residents, however, stressed that the project must be implemented transparently to ensure the construction of durable embankments capable of withstanding future floods.

Feni has suffered repeated flooding over the years, with the devastating floods of August 2024 causing widespread destruction across Parshuram, Fulgazi, Chhagalnaiya, Sonagazi and Feni Sadar upazilas. The disaster claimed at least 29 lives, submerged thousands of acres of cropland, damaged roads and rural infrastructure, washed away fish farms and disrupted communication across the district.

Locals said years of inadequate maintenance of the Muhuri, Kahuya and Silonia river embankments had left them vulnerable to recurring floods.

"We no longer want relief. We want strong and sustainable embankments," several residents said, urging authorities to ensure transparency during construction. Some also suggested involving the Bangladesh Army in implementing the project to prevent corruption.

According to project documents, the scheme includes construction of 11.73 kilometres of riverbank protection works, including toe protection; rehabilitation of 67.92 kilometres of embankments; re-excavation of 83.5 kilometres of rivers and reservoirs; rehabilitation of 27 irrigation structures; construction of 77 inlets; and a hydraulic elevated dam, along with other infrastructure.

Experts believe the project will help restore river navigability, improve irrigation, increase agricultural and fish production, reduce dependence on groundwater and strengthen climate resilience by lowering the risk of flash floods.

Officials estimate that once completed, the project will protect public and private infrastructure, agricultural land and other assets worth around Tk 14,209 crore in Fulgazi, Parshuram, Chhagalnaiya, Sonagazi and Feni Sadar upazilas.

The Bangladesh Water Development Board will implement the project between July this year and June 2031.

Executive Engineer of the Feni Water Development Division Mohammad Monirul Islam said the project would significantly reduce the district's vulnerability to sudden floods while protecting valuable infrastructure and farmland.

Feni-1 lawmaker Munshi Rafiqul Alam Majnu said the allocation reflected the government's commitment to protecting the district from recurrent flooding.

He expressed hope that the project would result in the construction of a durable flood control embankment, bringing long-term benefits to the region.