Study underway to increase dam height to protect coastal areas: Minister of State for Water Resources

Studies are underway to increase the height of the embankment to protect the coastal areas including Bhola from natural calamities. After the survey, the height of the dam will be increased to 18 feet.

State Minister for Water Resources Colonel (retd) Zahid Farooq said these things while inspecting the progress of the ongoing dam construction work in Ilisha and Daulatkhan, Borhanuddin, Lalmohan and Charfasan upazilas of Bhola Sader on Friday and visiting the areas affected by river erosion.

He also said that during various storms, including Fani, Amphan, the water overflowed the dam as it flowed over the coast.

To protect the coastal areas including Bhola from natural calamities including floods and tidal waves, the project to increase the height of the embankment has been taken up. Which will be implemented very soon.   

The height of the dam built in the sixties is 12 feet. But now due to climate change, the water level has increased, so in the light of the survey, the dam will be built 18 feet high in the future.

The minister said that the block dam of Tk 340 crore in Elisha area is going on to protect Bhola city. Besides, another project has been taken up in Shibpur area.

Bhola city can be saved if these ongoing projects are implemented. The minister told reporters while inspecting the dam work that some mistakes have been identified. which are directed to be corrected.

He urged the journalists to report positive news instead of negative news.

State Minister for Water Resources Colonel (Retd.) Zahid Farooq Bhola visited the ongoing dam construction work and river erosion areas in the Meghna river bank areas of Daulatkhan, Borhanuddin, Lalmohan Tajumuddin and Charfasan upazilas starting from Ilisha Launchghat area of Sadar Upazila. During the visit, the state minister addressed road meetings at various spots.  

Bhola-2 Constituency Member of Parliament Ali Azam Mukul, Bhola-3 Constituency Member of Parliament Nurunnabi Chowdhury Shawon, Bhola-4 Constituency Member of Parliament Abdullah Al Islam Jacob, Additional Secretary of Ministry of Water Resources Mahmudur Rahman and officials of Water Development Board were present.