Tk 132cr Sylhet flood control project still uncertain
With completion of 15 per cent works seven years into the start of 'Upper Surma-Kushiyara project' in 2001, the much talked flood control and irrigation scheme in Sylhet district now seems uncertain.
Only Tk 18 crore has so far been spent under the Tk 132 crore flood control and irrigation project taken up by Water development Board (WDB) in north-eastern Sylhet while the project, earlier scheduled to be completed by FY 2005-2006, has been revised several times.
'Upper Surma-Kushiyara project' was designed for flood control, improvement of drainage system and introduction of better irrigation facilities in vast areas of Zakiganj, Kanaighat, Beanibazar, Golapganj and Sylhet Sadar upazilas in the district
Repeated floods, water stagnation and large scale erosion along the banks of two major rivers in the region have caused huge damage to crops, households and croplands for the last several years while the WDB authorities failed to take protective works in time.
Asked by the Ministry of Planning, WDB made a revised project a year ago to complete works of the 132-crore taka project by 2009-2010 fiscal year.
But only 10 crore taka has been given for the work in 2008-09 fiscal year, the executive engineer of WDB, Sylhet, said, adding that it would be impossible to complete the project by 2009-2010.
The original project that started in 2001-2002 with an estimated cost of Tk 111 crore included, construction of 181-kilometre embankments, 813 irrigation structures, two bridges, five drainage regulators, 163 km irrigation canals, 56 km drainage canals and installation of four irrigation pumps.
About two years ago, the project budget was raised by 58 per cent putting the figure at Tk 181 crore, with a target to complete it by 2009-10. The programme includes acquisition of 450 hectares of land, construction and reconstruction of 159 km embankments, construction of 20 drainage cum flushing regulators and construction of a pumping station, 30 km irrigation canal, 64 km lateral canal and 122 irrigation structures, said an official of WDB.
But following a directive by the water resources ministry in early 2007, the project was revised and the cost was cut down to Tk 135 crore after six months. Again it was revised to a Tk132-crore project in November last year.
Successful implementation of the project would provide irrigation facilities for 38,000 hectares of land through the irrigation canals and drainage canals, the official said.
Construction of embankment is urgently needed to save the people from recurring floods in Zakiganj, Kanaighat, Beanibazar and Golapganj upazila areas while further delay in project implementation would result in escalation of costs.
The region last year experienced repeated and prolonged floods following gushing down of water from the upstream hilly region in Indian. The disaster left behind a colossal damage to the crops and dwelling houses.
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