Administration conducts operation against illegal Balumhale in Ishwardi

Ishwardi (Pabna) Correspondent :

After the news about the illegal Balumhal in Hardinge Bridge area in Ishwardi, the administration has finally moved. On Wednesday (June 5) from morning to evening, Ishwardi and Bheramara upazila administrations of Pabna and Kushtia conducted a joint operation. Bheramara Upazila Executive Officer Akash Kumar Kundu and Ishwardi Assistant Commissioner (Land) TM Rahsin Kabir conducted the operation. Dredger owner Ariful Islam, son of Idris Pramanik of Faizullahpur village of Bheramara upazila and Rafiqul Islam, son of Bajlu Mahaldar of Raita village, were fined Tk 50,000. It is known that illegal sand trade has been going on for a long time in the area adjacent to Hardinge Bridge. The sand business has been going on year after year by just managing the hill-sized sand piles without VAT-tax. The guide bank area along the river near Hardinge Bridge is leased from the Railway Land Office for agricultural purposes. But instead of doing agriculture there, sand business is going on by taking rent from their customers. Cost means boat rental, subscription and labor cost. Hardinge Bridge and Lalon Shah Bridge are covered behind the huge pile of sand as the pile grows. According to railway engineers, the flow of Padma River is obstructed and diverted during the monsoon season due to sand piles. The safety of the bridge pillar and guide bank is threatened.
Ishwardi Government Commissioner (Lands) Rahsin Kabir said, operations have been started against illegal sand miners. No matter how powerful they are, they will be brought under the law. Dredgers were not found anywhere in Ishwardi area during the day. However, there are huge sand dunes along the KPI-bound Hardinge Bridge and across the Guide Bank area. Those who have piled up sand have been warned to remove it quickly.
He also said that the State Officer of Railways is currently in Saudi Arabia. When he comes to the country, I will measure that place. If the site is owned by railways, railways will arrange for removal of sand. And if the place is ours, quick action will be taken.