Important buildings, Ashuganj port under threat of going into riverbed

 
Important buildings including Ashuganj port area are under threat of going into the bed of Meghna river. Ashuganj Power Station Company Limited (APSCL) has occupied the floodplain of the riverbank and filled it with sand by constructing retaining walls.  

As the water level in the river is increasing, the course of the river has changed which is posing threat to important installations including Ashuganj port area. The National River Protection Commission (NRPC) has sent a report regarding the withdrawal of the sand filled on floodplain of the riverbank to APSCL, district administration, BWDB, BIWTA and Ashuganj upazila administration by mentioning that, local administration will take legal actions if APSCL does not remove the sand-installations at its own initiative and cost or expresses failure or reluctance. However, four institutions, including the district administration is in a silent role in implementing the directive. According to an investigation report made by Additional Deputy Commissioner (Revenue) Ashraf Ahmed, APSCL is illegally constructing B-type residential areas in Sonarampur and Sohagpur mouzas of the upazila by illegally filling the embankment and banks of the Meghna River with sand. 

It was written on the report that, APSCL did not seek any clearance from the Department of Environment and no permission from the NRPC, BWDB, Environment and BIWTA prior to the sand filling. 

And according to the Bangladesh Water Rules, no permanent installation can be built in the flood watershed area. The movement of vessels is being disrupted, shipping lanes are becoming narrowed and the normal flow of water in the river is being disrupted which will continue adverse effects on the biodiversity of the Meghna river. APSCL Managing Director Engineer AMM Sajjadur Rahman said, "We have received the report of the National River Protection Commission. It will take time to remove sand and installations from the spot."

Brahmanbaria Deputy Commissioner (DC) Hayat-ud-Dowla Khan said, "The National River Protection Commission has directed Ashuganj Power Station Company Limited (APSCL) to remove the filled sand. The report with instructions has been sent to the APSCL. Legal actions will be taken if they do not obey the order."

--- Golam Sarwar in Ashuganj