Illegal structures choke canals, fuel water-logging at Rupganj

 
RUPGANJ, NARAYANGANJ, July 13: Thousands of residents living inside the embankment under the Baniadi Irrigation Project in Narayanganj's Rupganj Upazila continue to suffer from recurring artificial water-logging during the rainy season, allegedly due to the disconnection of canals from the project's irrigation pump.

The water-logging has disrupted daily life, leaving commuters, patients and students struggling to travel while raising concerns over the spread of waterborne diseases.

A visit to the area found that several government canals in Hatab, Tekpara, Baruaipara, Nalpathar, Dulurdia, Amlab and Pithaghuri have been obstructed by illegal business establishments, garden houses, sand dumps belonging to housing projects and other structures.

Locals alleged that these encroachments have cut off the canals' connection with the Baniadi irrigation pump, preventing rainwater from draining and causing water to accumulate across the embankment areas after every spell of rainfall.

Farid Alam, a resident of Hatab, said various industrial establishments have continued to blame one another instead of addressing the problem.

"They could excavate the canals adjacent to their own premises if they wanted. That would restore water flow and prevent water-logging," he said.

Karim Mia, a resident of Dulurdia, said the water-logging was entirely the result of blocked waterways.

"There are canals throughout the area, but illegal structures have been built over many of them. Removing those encroachments would solve the problem," he said.

Residents said prolonged water-logging has made it difficult for people to reach workplaces, hospitals and educational institutions, while stagnant water has increased the risk of waterborne diseases.