India has started laying cement-concrete (CC) blocks along its embankment of the Kohua river at the Parshuram border in Feni. The work began on Friday morning at Amjadnagar, next to Belonia in India. Because the embankment on the Bangladesh side is still incomplete, people living along the river fear severe erosion and flooding.
Residents say that unless Bangladesh's embankment is strengthened quickly, North Kolapara, South Kolapara, Bashpadua and Parshuram bazaar could all be at serious risk. When word of the work spread, worried residents gathered at Khilpara in North Kolapara.
Local sources say about 25,000 CC blocks were made in 2003 to build an embankment at North Kolapara. Work began east of the railway bridge but stopped after India's Border Security Force (BSF) objected, and later attempts also stalled over Indian objections. When the Ballamukha embankment collapsed badly in 2024, some blocks from Kolapara and Nij Kalikapur were moved there.
At a recent flag meeting between the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and the BSF over the embankment on either side of border pillar 2163, both sides agreed to repair 2.3 km at Amjadnagar and 250 metres at North Kolapara. The Water Development Board (WDB) says money has been allocated for the 250 metres near the Mazarbari graveyard, but the work is not finished. Residents say another 200 metres or so of weak embankment has been left out.
Abu Taleb Ripon, chairman of the upazila BRDB, said India's embankment is about four feet higher and sturdier than Bangladesh's, and that without quick repairs North and South Kolapara and Parshuram bazaar could suffer badly.
Mohammad Monirul Islam, executive engineer of the WDB in Feni, said the Kohua is a very small river. If blocks go in on the Indian side, its course will swing towards Bangladesh and building an embankment here will become harder, he said; senior officials will be informed.
Lt Col Hasibul Islam, commander of 4 BGB in Feni, told Manab Zamin that India was supposed to inform Bangladesh before starting such work. On learning it had begun without notice, the BGB asked for it to stop, and it is currently suspended. The report is by Manab Zamin's Feni correspondent.
Source: Manab Zamin
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