Project taken up to protect Khagrachhari, Rangamati

The Ministry of Shipping has taken a project with a view to protecting the river banks from erosion in Rangamati and Khagrachhari districts.

The Executive Committee of National Economic Council (ECNEC) has recently approved the project titled “Protection of Khagrachhari Town and Adjacent Infrastructure from River Erosion” at a cost of Tk 586 crore, a senior official of the Planning Commission told The Business Post.

The project aims to protect river banks in different upazilas of Khagrachhari and Rangamati, control flood through river dredging, improve drainage system, prevent saline water, increase irrigation facilities and agricultural production.

Besides, it also aims to protect important public places, croplands and forest resources from the erosion of Chengi and Myinee rivers at places of the two districts.

The implementation of the project will protect the riverbeds from getting filled with silts due to the impacts of climate change, storms, heavy rains, flash floods and landslides, he said.

Under the project, 135.45 lakh cubic metres of silts will be dredged to revive the water flow of the two rivers, and improve the navigation system. The waterways communications between two districts will also be improved.

The Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB) will implement the project by June 2025. According to the project proposal, the Chengi River originates from India’s Tripura and enters Bangladesh through Panchhari upazila in Khagrachhari while the Myinee River from a hilly area of Tripura runs through Dighinala upazila of Khagrachhari and falls into Kaptai lake in Rangamati.

Battali, Perachhara, Ganjpara, Rajyamanipara and Muslimpara in Khagrachhari town are located at the sharp bend of Chengi and facing erosion threat, the proposal said.

Due to the erosion of the Myinee, Khagrachhari Sadar, Dighinala Sadar, Dighinala-Baghaichhari bridge, small Merung food warehouse and adjoining areas are facing severe erosion, it added.