Tripura Congress Urges State Government to Address Bangladesh Embankment Concerns
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Synopsis
In light of the ongoing embankment constructions by Bangladesh, the Tripura Congress has called on the state government to take urgent action. The opposition party warns that these structures could threaten local towns and villages, leading to potential flooding during the upcoming monsoon season.
Key Takeaways
- Bangladesh embankments pose flood risks to Tripura.
- Congress party demands government action.
- Chief Minister informs Union Home Minister.
- Infrastructure repair identified in 43 locations.
- State government invests Rs 150 crore for embankments.
Agartala, April 24 (NationPress) The ongoing construction of embankments by the government of Bangladesh has become a significant topic in Tripura's political landscape. On Thursday, the opposition Congress party urged the state government to address this matter, as the embankments built by the neighboring country pose a potential threat to two district towns and numerous villages within the state.
Asish Kumar Saha, the President of Tripura Pradesh Congress, sent an urgent letter to Tripura Chief Secretary Jitendra Kumar Sinha, calling for immediate action to tackle the flood management challenges resulting from the embankment constructions in the state's Unakoti and South Tripura districts.
Reports indicate that the reconstruction of a major elevated embankment in Unakoti district has been halted due to opposition from the Border Security Force. Meanwhile, Bangladesh is currently constructing another large embankment opposite the South Tripura district headquarters, Belonia.
The activities of the Bangladeshi government regarding embankment construction have caused considerable concern among the residents of Unakoti and South Tripura districts, who fear that the upcoming monsoon season could lead to widespread flooding, endangering significant government and private properties.
Manik Saha, the Chief Minister of Tripura, has informed the Union Home Minister Amit Shah about the embankment issues in Unakoti district, stating that the concerns related to South Tripura district are currently being reviewed.
The Chief Minister assured the media that the state government is diligently addressing these matters. He mentioned that comprehensive information regarding the embankment issues in South Tripura district has been compiled and sent to the central government for appropriate measures.
Meanwhile, Kiran Gitte, Secretary of the Tripura Public Works Department, recently inspected both Unakoti and South Tripura districts alongside senior officials. He reported that the state government has initiated plans to build new embankments and repair existing ones throughout the state with an investment of Rs 150 crore.
According to him, the majority of these projects will be completed prior to the monsoon season, with the Public Works Department, Water Resource Development departments, and disaster management authorities prepared to handle any emergencies during the four-month-long monsoon period from June to September.
Gitte emphasized that the construction of embankments aimed at safeguarding the Belonia and Kailashahar district headquarters, along with surrounding villages, is underway, and additional measures are being implemented to enhance the ongoing efforts.
In light of last year's devastating floods and landslides in August, which resulted in damage to numerous river embankments along the India-Bangladesh border, the government has identified 43 locations in various districts, including South Tripura, that require infrastructure repairs. Work on these repairs has either commenced or is set to begin shortly.
