Bangladesh Embankment: High-Level Team Inspects Flood Protection in South Tripura
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Synopsis
A high-level team led by Tripura's Public Works Secretary evaluated the potential impact of a Bangladesh embankment on Indian territory. They discussed flood protection measures for Belonia and nearby areas, highlighting urgent repairs needed after severe flooding last year.
Key Takeaways
- High-level delegation inspected Belonia border area.
- Bangladesh embankment construction raises flood concerns.
- Repair works for damaged embankments to be expedited.
- Local officials engaged with residents regarding safety issues.
- Central government's intervention sought by local representatives.
Agartala, April 20 (NationPress) A high-level team visited the border town of Belonia on Sunday, exploring the potential impacts on the Indian side resulting from the embankment being erected by the Bangladesh government along the Muhuri river, which acts as a boundary between the two nations.
The official team, led by Tripura Public Works Department Secretary Kiran Gitte, conducted a thorough inspection of the India-Bangladesh border areas, engaging with local residents and meeting with elected officials, including the Chairman of the Belonia Municipal Council.
Following the visit, Gitte stated that to safeguard the South Tripura district headquarters in Belonia, as well as nearby villages and settlements, embankments and other protective measures are being implemented, with ongoing works expected to be escalated.
During last year’s devastating flood and landslides in August, numerous river embankments along the India-Bangladesh border, along with other infrastructure, suffered damage. The government has recognized 43 such sites across various districts, including South Tripura, and is either initiating or has already started repair works on these infrastructures.
“By June this year, we aim to have all repair and related works finalized. Crews will work continuously. Given the extensive workload in South Tripura, we will assign five additional engineers to the district,” he added.
Accompanying Gitte were BSF's Tripura Frontier Inspector General Ashwani Kumar Sharma, the South Tripura District Magistrate, Superintendent of Police, and officials from various departments, including Water Resources and Public Works.
The Bangladesh government is currently constructing another significant embankment opposite Belonia in southern Tripura, raising concerns among Indian residents that this structure might jeopardize Belonia and neighboring villages during the monsoon floods.
Moreover, residents of the Belonia Municipal Council areas, along with villagers from Ballamukh, Ishan Chandranagar, and other nearby locations in South Tripura, have voiced serious worries regarding the giant embankment built by Bangladesh.
On Saturday, local CPI-M MLA Dipankar Sen urged the South Tripura District Magistrate and senior officials from the Border Security Force (BSF) to escalate this issue with the Central government to address concerns with the Bangladesh government.
In a related matter, a similar embankment was constructed by the Bangladesh government in northern Tripura's Unakoti district, which could put the district town Kailashahar and its border villages at risk during monsoon flooding.
Seeking intervention from the Central government, the opposition Congress has organized a series of protests in Kailashahar.
Senior Congress leader and former Minister Birajit Sinha, leading the protests regarding the controversial embankment in Unakoti district, stated that the Bangladesh government is unilaterally building a significant embankment on its territory, which may threaten the district town of Kailashahar and neighboring villages during the monsoon floods.
Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha previously informed Union Home Minister Amit Shah about the embankment issue.
“In his letter to the Home Minister, the Chief Minister outlined the potential impacts of the Bangladeshi embankment in Unakoti district and the risk of floods on the Indian side. The Chief Minister requested the Home Minister to address this matter with the Bangladesh government for appropriate action,” an official stated.
