Water stagnation hampers Boro cultivation in hundred villages

SYLHET, Oct 28: Inhabitants of more than a hundred villages in Sunamganj are yet to get rid of apprehension that they wouldn't be able to cultivate Boro in their cropland this year due to water stagnation.

However, officials at the Water Development Board (WDB) said they taken a Tk 30 million project to start excavation of the two canals soon.

If they do so, farmers would be able to grow crops in the land after 20 years.

Sources said some farmers somehow cultivate the land by using power pumps. But it is mot more than 20 per cent of the total area.

Some affected farmers said they are yet to see the steps for resolving the water stagnation from Pagnar Haor. If works were not started in a week or so to arrange dewatering the haor, they wouldn't be able to cultivate Boro this season.

Chairman of local union council Koruna Sindhu Talukder said the farmers wouldn't be able to start farming as the season is about to start when the water recession measures are yet to be taken.

Executive Engineer of the WDB, Sunamganj Abu Baker Siddique said work order has already been issued to contractors for excavation the Gazaria Canal at a cost of Tk 20.9 million and excavation of the Kanaikhali Canal at Tk 9.5 million.

"They have already been asked for starting the work", said the official.

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