Road communication cut off due to severe erosion of Kushiyara River
Sylhet Bureau :
A significant portion of the Balaganj-Khasrupur-Sherpur road in Balaganj upazila of Sylhet district has completely disappeared into the riverbed due to severe erosion of the Kushiyara River. This has stopped traffic on the entire road and the locals are suffering immensely.
On Wednesday (May 7) night, a road and bridge collapsed into the river in the Fazilpur area of the upazila due to severe erosion. The electricity connection has been disconnected to avoid accidents as the nearby electric poles are risky.
According to local sources, the erosion of the Kushiyara river started in November last year. At that time, the Water Development Board was given a proposal to lay geo bags and blocks, but it was not implemented. Recently, only temporary filling was done by laying soil and silt bags, but it did not last. Despite multiple reports in local and national media and a site visit by the Deputy Director of the Local Government Department, Suborna Sarkar, on April 28, no effective action was taken.
Shihab Uddin, chairman of Purba Pailonpur Union Parishad, said, “In the initial stage, we wrote to the Water Development Board. But despite the promise, geo-bags or blocks were not removed. As a result, today the entire road and culvert have disappeared.”
He added, “In several other villages of the union, including Hamsapur, houses, roads and cropland are collapsing into the river every year. Without permanent prevention measures, this disaster will not stop.”
The assistant commissioner (land) of the upazila and acting UNO said, “We inspected after receiving the news of the collapse. We have talked to the Water Development Board and efforts are being made to build an alternative road. In addition, steps have been taken to ensure the safety of the locals.”
Thousands of people from Balaganj and Osmaninagar upazilas used to travel to the upazila headquarters, district towns and markets every day through the road. Students, working people and businessmen have suffered immensely due to this collapse. The people of the area have demanded a quick and effective permanent prevention project.
