Dumuria canals dredged, but main rivers left silted

Authorities have spent millions of taka dredging canals in Khulna’s Dumuria upazila while two heavily silted rivers—widely blamed for the area’s recurring waterlogging—remain largely neglected, prompting questions over the project’s priorities and effectiveness.

For years, siltation in the Shailmari and Salta rivers has obstructed natural drainage across Dumuria. However, instead of restoring these major waterways, authorities re-excavated around 8.5 kilometres of canals in the Sahos-Teligati and Krishnanagar-Nimtala areas during the 2025–26 fiscal year.

The work was undertaken at an estimated cost of Tk 27 million, of which around Tk 5 million has already been paid to the contractor, according to project sources.

Local farmers, residents and political representatives have questioned whether the investment addresses the main cause of the area’s chronic waterlogging.

“The rivers are the real problem,” said Animesh Mondal, a farmer from Deruli village. “Many people opposed the project from the beginning. If the same amount of money had been spent dredging the Shailmari River, the entire region would have benefited.”

Concerns have also been raised over the dredging of the Kalirghat Canal near Khoyramari Beel, where Tk 3.134 million was spent despite claims that the canal already had sufficient depth and water flow.

Noren Das, a farmer from Paharpur village, said the Bangladesh Water Development Board had dredged around one kilometre of the canal near the regulator gate only three years ago.

“There was no real need to dredge it again,” he said.

A two-kilometre section of canal in Tiyabunia mouza was also re-excavated under a Tk 3.5 million project. Locals, however, said the canal drains into the heavily silted Salta River, limiting the benefits of the work.

Abdur Rob Akunji, a local BNP leader, also questioned the project’s priorities.
“Instead of restoring the main rivers, public funds have been spent dredging canals that were already relatively deep,” he said. “It is reasonable to ask how much benefit local people will actually receive.”

Project officials defended the initiative, saying the canal re-excavation would improve drainage and restore waterway transport.

Monojit Bala, chairman of Raghunathpur Union Parishad, said dredging the Krishnanagar-Nimtala Canal would help drain water from Rajghat, Beel Dakatia, Barandar Beel and nearby areas of Abhaynagar upazila.

He said farmers were already finding it easier to transport vegetables, fish and other agricultural products through the improved waterways.

Bala, however, acknowledged that heavy siltation in the Shailmari River continued to obstruct natural drainage. The area consequently remains dependent on the Kalighat Regulator, leaving it vulnerable during periods of intense rainfall.

Officials said a separate long-term project to restore the Shailmari River was already underway.
Dr Md Abul Bashar, additional chief engineer of the Bangladesh Water Development Board’s Southwest Region, said a Tk 490 million river re-excavation project had begun.

Once completed, the project is expected to reduce chronic waterlogging in Beel Dakatia and surrounding areas, he said.

Residents said costly dredging projects should be based on comprehensive hydrological and environmental assessments that consider natural water flows, agricultural needs and the underlying causes of waterlogging.

Without proper planning, they warned, large amounts of public money could be spent without providing the lasting relief that Dumuria residents have long demanded.