CHANDPUR. Aug 7: The government has sanctioned Taka 6.86 crore for the protection of the Chandpur Irrigation Project (CIP) now threatened by erosion. it was disclosed by the Water Resources Secretary Dr ATM Shamsul Huda here on August 4, reports BSS.

The secretary visited the CIP at Taj Kharkandi point in Haimchar thana.

He directed the Water Development Board officials to work round-the-clock to save the CIP embankment now threatened by severe erosion.

The secretary was accompanied by senior officials of the ministry. He also met local elite at Chandpur circuit house.

UNB from GupalganJ said: There are allegations of massive irregularities in the repair work of the flood protection embankment of the Modhumoti river.

The Water Development Board (WDB) has taken up a Ik 12 crore project for repairing the embankment that was badly damaged by floods last year, official sources said.

Local people alleged that low-quality stone and sand were being used instead of those from Sylhet for making slabs violating the tender condition.

Due to the use of low quality materials, the blocks are not cemented properly and those

broke down during piling in the riverbank, they said.

They also alleged that dis-, honest contractors of the project in collusion with a section of unscrupulous officials of the WDB were making huge money by using low standard materials for the repair work.

"The way the repair work is proceeding now is nothing but a farce in the name of flood control." said a local people on condition of anonymity.

On the pretext of repairing the six kilometres of damaged embankment from Haridaspur to Bherev Bazar, WDB is dumping money into the Modhumoti. he alleged.