More than 150 illegal sand spots from Kalurghat to Chowdhuryhat, trade continues despite raids

Sand extraction and sales are continuing without government approval along the Karnaphuli river area from Kalurghat in Chattogram city to Boalkhali upazila. More than 150 illegal sand spots have sprung up over a 7-8 kilometre stretch from around the Kalurghat bridge through Charandwip to Chowdhuryhat.

Local residents allege that an influential syndicate has controlled this trade for a long time. Despite repeated drives, fines and jail sentences by the administration, the business has not stopped.

Locals allege that roadside safety posts are being broken to keep the sand business running unhindered. Heavy trucks moving day and night are damaging rural roads, culverts and bridges. Vehicles are meeting accidents while travelling on the broken roads. Recently, barriers installed to stop heavy truck movement were also smashed.

Residents fear that unchecked sand extraction around the Kalurghat rail-cum-road bridge will put this important structure at risk. According to them, there are at least 30 sand sales points around the bridge. From Charandwip to Chowdhuryhat, there are more than 150 further illegal spots in the interior areas.

It is alleged that leaders and activists of the ousted Awami League previously controlled the business. After the political changeover in 2024, some local leaders, activists and supporters of the BNP, Jubo Dal and Swechchhasebak Dal allegedly took control of the trade. Some are also alleged to be running the business using the name of local MP Ershad Ullah.

Local Jubo Dal activist Md Erfan is alleged to control a large share of the sand spots. Locals have made similar allegations against Shawkat, Touhid, Munna and Sarwar, who are involved in BNP and Jubo Dal politics. Erfan, however, says he runs a sand business at only one point in Kalurghat and that the allegation of controlling most of the spots is not true.

Former Boalkhali upazila BNP president Md Shawkat has also denied involvement in the sand business. He claims propaganda is being spread against him out of political rivalry. MP Ershad Ullah could not be reached for comment despite attempts to contact him. Municipal Jubo Dal president Mohammad Sarwar said he would talk later and then did not respond.

A local contractor, speaking on condition of anonymity, said there is more profit in illegally extracting and selling sand than in taking a legal lease of a sand quarry. That, he alleged, is why the illegal business does not stop.

Boalkhali upazila nirbahi officer (UNO) Mehedi Hasan Faruk said he has conducted several drives in the 10 months since taking charge. But the drives do not get cooperation from local people. Even when seized sand is put up for auction, no one wants to take part. He said drives to stop the illegal business will continue.

The UNO added that two barriers had been installed at the entrance to Charandwip near the Kalurghat bridge to stop heavy truck movement. On Friday night, miscreants smashed one of them. Efforts are under way to identify and arrest those involved by reviewing CCTV footage.

On September 10, the upazila administration sentenced a businessman named Farid Mia to seven days of simple imprisonment for running a sand business after uprooting safety posts on the Kalurghat-Bhandaljuri road. In a drive on September 15, about 1,800 feet of pipe used for illegal sand extraction, two sand-laden trucks and an excavator were seized. Seven illegal sand extraction spots were also demolished.