Sit-in programme calls to save Rajshahi from Padma erosion

RAJSHAHI, Aug 4: Leaders and activists of Rajshahi Raskha Sangram Parishad (RRSP) gheraoed and staged a sit in programme in front of the office of Chief Engineer of Water Development Board of Rajshahi yesterday(Monday noon) demanding immediate step to save Rajshahi and adjoining upazilas from the erosion of the river Padma.

Speakers at the sit in programme said, there has been a huge loss of land and properties due to devastating erosion of river Padma for last several years. But, it was regrettable that no step has so far been taken from the government to check the erosion of the river. They added, a project to save Bulanpur and Nabinagar of Rajshahi city, Nabaganga, Sonakandi, Bosri and Harupur of Paba Upazila, Rajshahi Cadet College of Charghat upazila, Premtali, Bidirpur, Pirijpur, Asariadaha of Godagari upazila was sent to Planning Commission from the Ministry of Water Resources on March 22 this year but no step has been taken from the Ministry of Planning to implement the project.

Later on another project entitled," Saving Sonakandi to Bulanpur area of Rajshahi City from the grip of erosion of the river Padma" was submitted to the Ministry of Planning on June 10 but that was also not approved yet.

A press release issued by RRSP informed, demanding to implement project to save Rajshahi from the grip of Padma, RRSP organised a meeting and a gherao programme of the office of Deputy Commissioner of Rajshahi on April-19 this year. It also said, the onrush of water from upstream and incessant rainfall has put the river Padma on spate and entire Rajshahi district and city areas are under threat of erosion of the river. Despite repeated programmes of RRSP and other organisations to save Rajshahi city and adjacent upazilas, government was paying no heed on the issue, the press release mentioned.  

The programme was attended among others by Liakat Ali and Jamat Khan, President and the General Secretary of RRSP respectively, journalist Mustafizur Rahman Khan Alam, Advocate Abdus Samad and Awami League leader Asaduzzaman.

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