Riverbank erosion puts Rajbari road and dozens of families at risk

Rajbari Road at risk due to riverbank erosion. UNB

Rajbari, May 8 - Erosion by the Gorai River is threatening a key rural road and putting more than 50 families at risk in Baliakandi upazila of Rajbari, causing growing concern among local residents ahead of the monsoon.

Several parts of the Narua-Konagram road, which connects Narua and Jangal unions, have already been severely damaged by river erosion. In the Jamsapur area, around 100 yards of the road has narrowed so much that it has effectively turned into a footpath.

Although battery-run auto-rickshaws and vans are still moving with difficulty, larger vehicles have been unable to use the road for several months.

Locals said accidents often occur when small vehicles overturn while trying to pass through the damaged portions.

Residents fear the situation could worsen rapidly during the rainy season if immediate protection work is not carried out.

The road, built on an embankment under the Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB), was later paved by the Local Government Engineering Department (LGED). It is regularly used by residents and students from Narua, Jamsapur, Konagram, Morabila and nearby villages.

However, locals said erosion in the Jamsapur area has intensified over the past three years.

To keep the road usable, the BWDB occasionally places sand-filled geo-bags in vulnerable areas as an emergency measure. But residents said the temporary repairs do not last long, and the erosion keeps returning.

Abdul Matin, a resident of Jamsapur village, said the river has been eating away at the road for years.

“The erosion has turned worse in the last two to three years. The road is now very close to my house. Large vehicles have not been able to use the road for six to seven months,” he said.

“During the monsoon, some sandbags are placed, but after a few days, the condition becomes the same again. Auto-rickshaws and vans now stop near my house, and passengers cross the damaged part on foot,” Matin added.

He blamed continuous sand extraction from areas across the river in Sreepur upazila of Magura for worsening the erosion.

“If steps are not taken immediately, my house may disappear during the monsoon. At least 50 families in this village are now at risk,” Matin said.

Another resident, Syed Alauddin Fakir, said the erosion problem has continued for nearly a decade.

“Every year, some sacks are thrown into the river during the rainy season, but the erosion never stops. This year, the river started eroding the area even before the monsoon. Houses are now under threat,” he said.

Sub-assistant Engineer Md Naim Rahman Ruman of Rajbari BWDB said although the road is under their jurisdiction, the paving work was done by the LGED.

He added that erosion has affected several points from Narua Ferryghat to Konagram over the past few years.

“The matter has already been reported to the higher authorities for necessary action,” Ruman said.

Baliakandi Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Chowdhury Mustafizur Rahman said emergency repairs were carried out before the national election to ensure access to the Konagram polling centre, but the damage reappeared shortly afterwards.

“We have requested the Executive Engineer of the Water Development Board to take urgent measures,” he said.

Executive Engineer of BWDB in Rajbari Md Tajminur Rahman said around three kilometres of areas in Narua and Jangal unions are currently vulnerable to erosion by the Gorai River.

He said at least 15 points, including Jamsapur, are facing a serious risk. “Funds have been sought on a priority basis to begin protective work before the monsoon. The work will start once the allocation is approved,” he added. - UNB