Illegal sand lifting from riverbed goes on unhindered in Sylhet

Existence of Dhalai Bridge at risk

OUR CORRESPONDENT | December 20, 2024 00:00:00

Indiscriminate extraction of sand goes on under the Dhalai Bridge in Companiganj upazila of Sylhet district-FE Photo

SYLHET, Dec 19: Unauthorised extraction of sand from the Dhalai River in Companiganj upazila of Sylhet district by organised quarters has been going on unabated for many days, causing serious concern among the locals about possible collapse of the bridge named after the river.

A number of locals alleged that complaints were lodged repeatedly with the district administration but the situation could not be controlled as the sand looters continued their activities due to various influential quarters' involvement.

Anwar Hossain, a resident of Islampur, said traders are continuing unauthorised sand extraction from the riverbed to the unawareness of the administration.

Sometimes the upazila administration launches crackdown on the sand looters, but soon after the operation ends, they stage a comeback.

Locals mostly have no other alternative but to play the role of silent spectators against the sand looters.

Most of the people are worried about the existence of the Dhalai bridge due to unauthorised extraction of sand from the riverbed, said Akbar Ali, a resident of the Companiganj upazila headquarters.

During a visit to the area three days ago, this correspondent saw young people in groups extracting sand from the bridge point.

Over a hundred country boats, locally known as 'barki nouka', were loaded with sand from the riverbank, from which sand was later carried to various places by small trolleys and tractors for selling.

Locals said the bridge has become risky due random and unabated extraction of sand from its foothills. Some pillars of the bridge were affected as small ditches developed at the bottom of the pillars.

Contacted, Executive Engineer of the Roads and Highway Department Amir Hossain told this correspondent, "Normally upazila or district administration officials conduct mobile court drive against such illegal activities (sand lifting from rivers). I will enquire into the matter soon."

The bridge was opened for traffic on September 9, 2006.

[email protected]