CHANDPUR. Apr 3: A scheme has been taken up by the Bangladesh Water Development Board In Chandpur to check erosion of rivers Meghna and Dakatla. Taka ten crore has already been sanctioned for implementation of the scheme, official sources said. .

According to the scheme, about one thousand feet area will be protected by dumping cement concrete block in the eroded area. These blocks will be placed in the erosion prove areas by placing nets along with them. Accordingly 2 lakh 40 thousand concrete cement blocks will be made during the current season. About ‘ 40 thousand such blocks have already been made. These blocks will be placed within June this year.

Chandpur. one of the busiest and largest trade centre for raw materials of the country

has been facing gradual extinction following erosion by

the mighty rivers, the Meghna and the Dakatia for last 22 years. The Meghna and Dakatia together eroded about one mile strip of the original town from the western part of the town since 1972 devouring lands, buildings and business firms worth about Tk 500 crore, according to unofficial estimates.

Erosion of Chandput town which started last year took serious turn threatening the hundred years old railway station and famous steamer ghat.. The turbulent Meghna and the Dakatia so far eroded about eight thousand square feet along both. Nat unbazar and Pu-ranbazar areas during last erosion season.

Bangladesh Water Development Board is responsible for the protection of Cnandpur town here. They have been

rpaking frantic efforts with is meagre resources and logistics support to check erosion of the town. The efforts of Water Development Board can hardly cope with the intensity of erosion. The Water Development Board have so far dumped 36 thousand 6 hundred concrete blocks at different points of river side. The Water Devel-Sment Board has so far spent 26 crore for the protection of Chandpur town since 1972. the official sources said.

The people of Chandpur urged the government to protect Chandpur town from any further erosion by the rivers Meghna and Dakatia.

Last year rivers Meghna and Dakatia cause massive damages to the town for which business established next to the rivers, especially the fish market in Barobazar was badly hit forcing at least 70 trade houses to

abandon their business and phift elsewhere.

More than 13,000 concrete block were dumped at the erosion sites at and emergency basis. More blocks were later dumped but perhaps in the wrong time at the wrong site.

Local people allege that the concerned authority pays no attention to their duties. Had the blocks, been dumped much earlier during dry seasons last year, erosion could have been checked to some extent at least.

Business leaders foresee, similar situation will take place this year too. But little has been done so far a precautionary measure to check erosion, local people allege.

Several schemes have been taken up over the years but all of them failed to achieve their goal.