When Govt Rests On Its Laurels

The Khulna city protection embankment has been slowly going into the Bhairab River over the last couple of years. The Daily Star reported it twice--in 2013 and again in 2014--within the space of one year. Each time, the local officials of the Water Development Board, its custodian, said they asked for Tk 22.19 crore from the headquarters in 2011 to rehabilitate the structure, which is protecting the citys eastern fringe from flooding. But the fund has not been available yet. Meanwhile, local businessmen and social activists repeatedly blamed use of substandard construction materials for the early damage to the embankment, which was built only in 2000 and was supposed to last four or five decades. Photos: Star