Tripura Engineers Assess Bangladesh Embankment's Impact on Border Areas
Click to start listening
Synopsis
Tripura engineers visited Unakoti district to assess the controversial embankment being built by Bangladesh, fearing it may threaten local towns and villages during floods. The report will be submitted to state authorities for further action.
Key Takeaways
- Engineers from Tripura visited the embankment site.
- Concerns raised about flooding risks to Kailashahar.
- District Magistrate will report findings to the state government.
- Bangladesh's unilateral construction is under scrutiny.
- Historical agreements prohibit certain constructions near the border.
Agartala, Jan 19 (NationPress) Engineers from the Water Resources Department of the Tripura government conducted a visit to the border regions of Unakoti district on Sunday to investigate the contentious embankment being built unilaterally by the Bangladesh government on its territory, as reported by officials.
The Tripura engineers are concerned that the Bangladeshi embankment could pose a threat to the district town of Kailashahar and surrounding border villages during monsoon flooding.
A high-ranking official from the Tripura government indicated that the engineers will compile a comprehensive report for District Magistrate Dilip Kumar Chakma, who will then relay the findings to the state government.
Chakma, along with other senior officials, visited the border areas on Friday and stated that the issue could be escalated to the Central government for necessary actions.
The District Magistrate has already submitted a note regarding the controversial embankment that the Bangladesh government is constructing in the Sharipur and Devipur regions of the neighboring Moulvibazar district. This district is located directly across from Unakoti district in northern Tripura.
On Saturday, Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha met with Union Home Minister Amit Shah in Delhi and presented a letter concerning the embankment situation.
In his correspondence, the Chief Minister emphasized the potential implications of the Bangladeshi embankment on Unakoti district and the possible flooding on the Indian side. He urged the Home Minister to address the matter with the Bangladesh government for appropriate measures to be taken by the neighboring country.
The embankment, measuring 20 feet in height and 10 feet in width, is currently under construction alongside the Manu River, which acts as the dividing line between the two nations.
According to preliminary data, the Bangladesh government has commenced building an 8 to 10 km long concrete embankment along the zero line without consulting Indian authorities, aiming to shield their areas from floodwaters. So far, approximately 3 km of the embankment has been completed, with work continuing on the remaining sections. Officials warn that the substantial height of the new embankment could severely impact Kailashahar and several border villages during monsoon floods.
As per the Indira-Mujib pact signed on March 19, 1972, and the 1975 Joint India-Bangladesh guidelines for border authorities, no unilateral construction of structures is allowed within 150 yards from the zero line of the international boundary by either side.
On the Indian side, an embankment was built several decades ago, situated more than 350 yards from the zero line, but its height is considerably lower. The official highlighted that the elevation of the embankment on the Indian side needs significant improvement; otherwise, the district town of Kailashahar and numerous border villages could face inundation during the monsoon.
Congress MLA from Kailashahar, Birajit Sinha, also a former minister, raised the embankment issue during the recent winter session of the Tripura Assembly, urging the state government to escalate the issue to the Centre.
In response to the Congress MLA’s concerns, Chief Minister Manik Saha assured the House that he would take the matter up with the Centre.
