India suspends block-laying work on Kahua river embankment after BGB intervention

India has suspended work to install CC blocks on the Indian side of the Kahua river embankment along the Parshuram border in Feni. The work has been kept suspended for now following intervention by the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB). Meanwhile, officials of the Water Development Board (WDB) and the upazila administration have inspected the embankment on the Bangladesh side amid fears of erosion damage.

On Saturday (November 7), the officials concerned inspected the condition of the river embankment in the North Kolapara area of Parshuram municipality. The inspection team included WDB Feni Executive Engineer Mohammad Monirul Islam, Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Atanu Barua, WDB Sub-Divisional Engineer Shihab Ahmed and Sub-Assistant Engineer Mohammad Yusuf Ahmed, along with other officials.

Lieutenant Colonel Hasibul Islam, commander of the BGB's Feni Battalion (4 BGB), said India was supposed to inform the BGB before starting the block-laying work. He said that after learning about it, the BGB contacted the Indian side and asked it to keep the work suspended. The work remains suspended at present.

Earlier, on Friday (November 6), work to install CC blocks began at several points on the Indian side of the Kahua river embankment. The development triggered fears of erosion among settlements on the Bangladesh side of the border, including North and South Kolapara.

After the matter was reported in the media, officials of the departments and the administration concerned became active. The work was then suspended following the BGB's intervention, and officials of the WDB and the upazila administration visited to inspect the embankment on the Bangladesh side.

WDB Feni Executive Engineer Mohammad Monirul Islam said he learned about the matter after visiting the site. He said that if blocks are placed on the embankment on the Indian side, there is a risk that the Bangladesh side will be damaged. He said the necessary decision will be taken after consulting the BGB commander.

Parshuram UNO Atanu Barua said necessary steps must be taken before the Bangladesh side is damaged. He said discussions are under way on what measures on the Bangladesh side of the embankment could protect it from erosion.

Local residents fear that if the embankment on the Bangladesh side is not made durable, vast areas including North Kolapara, South Kolapara, Baspadua and Parshuram Bazar could face flood risk. They fear that settlements in these areas would be affected if the embankment on the Bangladesh side is damaged.

Officials of the WDB said the necessary decision on the matter will be taken after consulting the BGB commander. Discussions are continuing on what measures can be taken to protect the embankment on the Bangladesh side.