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Dhaka objects to Delhi's embankment plan on Muhuri river

River erosion feared

STAFF CORRESPONDENT
Bangladesh has disapproved of an Indian plan to construct an embankment and a pump-house on the river Muhuri at Belunia-Nijkalikapur border in Feni, fearing river erosion on the Bangladesh side of the border.
Dhaka asked New Delhi to maintain status quo until permanent demarcation of the international boundary in the disputed area.
Highly placed sources said the decision to request India to maintain status quo was made at an inter-ministerial meeting held recently, considering the river erosion that
the embankment would cause in Bangladesh territory.
They said there is around a two-kilometre stretch of land at Belunia-Nijkalikapur border, which has not yet been permanently demarcated owing to various complexities.
Sources said the inter-ministerial meeting, after reviewing the expert opinions, concluded that construction of an embankment and a pumphouse on the Indian side of the Muhuri, as proposed by India, might also change the course of the river.
They further said a decision was taken at the 17th meeting of the
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standing committee of Bangladesh-India Joint Rivers Commission to construct embankments on both Bangladesh and Indian sides of the river for the benefit of the two peoples.
But that decision could not be implemented as the "disputed" area of two kilometres at Belunia-Nijkalikapur border is yet to be permanently demarcated.
Officials said though there is a provision to pursue a defensive policy in respect of common rivers to protect land, the Indian side often acted offensively.
The unilateral decisions to build embankments, they said, often led to river erosion in Bangladesh. River erosion is already taking place near Feni following construction of a spar on the Indian side.
As a result of the construction of the spar, about 50 acres of 'char land' (shoals) surfaced in India, while land in Bangladesh went under water.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been asked to take necessary steps to resolve the issue of disputed areas through permanent demarcation of the international boundary.
Ministers for land, home and water resources, state ministers for foreign affairs and water resources, high civil and BDR officials and experts concerned attended the inter-ministerial meeting.