Sluice gate in dilapidated state
People in Kalapara upazila of Patuakhali and Taltali upazila of Barguna are worried about the awful condition of the sluice gate on Kachupatra canal in the district as it might collapse anytime due to lack of renovation.
The guide wall of the six-door sluice gate has already been washed away.
The sluice gate has not been repaired by the Water Development Board (WDB) since its construction in 1965.
People of Chakamoiya and Tiakhali unions in Kalapara upazila and Bogi, Pochakoralia and Karaibaria unions in Taltali upazila depend on the sluice gate for its water as well as for road communications.
Besides, a good number of school goers also use the sluice gate to go to their educational institutions.
Over 200 students of nearby Nur Mohammad High School and an adjacent government primary school formed a human chain on the sluice gate premises on Saturday, demanding its renovation.
Headmaster Md Ayub Ali of the school said the sluice gate might collapse any time and the students who use it to go to their schools at great risk.
Local farmer Abul Hossain said the sluice gate plays a vital role in preventing saline water of the nearby Andharmanik river from entering farmlands.
Cultivation of Aman and Aus paddy as well as seasonal vegetables will be greatly hampered if the sluice gate collapses, he added.
Chakamoiya union parishad member Rafiqul Islam said the sluice gate is beneficial to the farmers as they can cultivate various items round the year. The authorities concerned should take immediate steps to renovate the sluice gate, he added.
WDB Executive Engineer Abul Khayer said they have sent a proposal to the higher authorities for building a new sluice gate there. They will start construction as soon as they get allocation, he added.
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