Illegal sand lifting from Teesta river causing risk of massive erosion

RANGPUR, Feb 04: A section of unscrupulous people are lifting sand from Teesta river at Mahipur area under Gangachara upazila in Rangpur district, posing serious threat to the Gangachara Sheikh Hasina Bridge over the river in the area and also causing risk of massive erosion.

Locals alleged some local influential people have continued indiscriminate sand lifting from near the pillar of the Sheikh Hasina Bridge for the last couple of weeks but the authority concerned seems to be indifferent to matter.

The sand lifters have been extracting sand by sinking pipes into the bed of the river with dredgers from the area for the last 14 days, but the authority concerned seems to be oblivious to the matter. Due to frequent lifting of sand the bridge is facing serious risk, locals said.

Around 20 to 25 truckloads of sand are being sold every day from there. Per truck sand is being sold at Tk 500 to Tk 700.

Locals also said they have informed the local administration of the matter, but nothing has been done so far to stop sand lifting.

If lifting of sand cannot be stopped soon, pillars of the bridge might become vulnerable, locals apprehended.

Saiful Islam, a resident of the area said he lost his house and 10 decimals of cultivable land owing to river erosion last year caused by sand lifting from the river.

Local people urged the authority concerned to take adequate steps against those who are involved in such malpractice in order to save the bridge and a vast tract of cultivable land from erosion.

Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO), Taslima Begum said that necessary measures will be taken against the culprits soon.

[email protected]