River erosion renders 100 families homeless

CHANDPUR, Aug 13: At least one hundred poor and distressed families who were given shelter in new houses under the Ashrayan project have been rendered homeless again due to erosion by the mighty rivers Meghna and Padma.
The Ashrayan project was implemented by the government at Bolashia village under Raj Rajeswar union, an island, 10 km west off Sadar upazila in 2009 as per the directive of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
According to the locals, the Ashrayan project was surrounded by rivers Meghna and Padma. The Meghna was in the east and the Padma was in the south-west of this Ashrayan project that covered three miles area. In 2009, the two rivers were just five kilometers away from this project site. For this, the project site was selected as a safe place.
But due to continuous erosion by the rivers over the years, the Ashrayan project area with 20 barracks where 100 families were sheltered had been devoured.
During visit to the area, this correspondent has come to know that the homeless people have taken shelter in adjoining villages namely Banshgari, Goyalnagar, Boliarchar and other places where they are living an inhuman life.
It was also observed that the remaining 2/3 houses at Ashrayan project were being washed away by strong current. Homeless people were trying in vain to recover goods and materials from being devoured by the Padma.
Ismail Gazi, 48, a resident of Banshgari village, has claimed that they are yet to receive relief materials from the government.
Mostafa Prodhania, 65, another resident of Goyalnagar village said, "River erosion has continued to haunt us. We've been rendered homeless again even after taking shelter in the Ashrayan project."
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