Footpath encroached, embankment built beside busy Monirampur road

Allegations have surfaced that a portion of the busy paved road connecting Nehalpur-Alipur-Poradanga in Monirampur upazila of Jashore has been encroached upon to build an embankment for a fish enclosure.

Local sources claim that Nehalpur Union Awami League leader and Union Parishad member Kamruzzaman in partnership with local Jamaat leader Khidir Hasan has illegally occupied the footpath and constructed a raised embankment. Although a small portion of soil was recently removed from the roadside following protests from locals, the embankment, which runs close to the road, continues to obstruct pedestrian and vehicular movement. Locals fear that the narrowing of the road could lead to accidents.

A visit to the site on Tuesday morning revealed that the four-kilometre paved road stretches from Nehalpur Bazar through Alipur to Poradanga, in front of the Kulutia Union Parishad office. The road was originally built with a five-to-seven-foot space on either side for pedestrian use and vehicle crossing.

However, on the western side of Alipur, Khidir Hasan, a member of the local Jamaat committee, has reportedly leased around 100 bighas of land for fish farming. It is alleged that the duo constructed an embankment by occupying nearly half a kilometre of the footpath adjacent to the paved road. The embankment runs beside the Gabordanga Sarbajanin Puja Mandir and the Alipur Government Primary School.

As a result, pedestrians, including schoolchildren, are facing severe difficulties. Vehicle crossing has become increasingly risky, sparking strong resentment among locals. Despite protests, no effective measures have been taken.

Talking to reporters, Alipur Government Primary School Headmistress Momota Rani Ghosh said the lack of a footpath on such a busy road is causing significant inconvenience for students and pedestrians. Kulutia Union Parishad Chairman Shekhar Chandra Roy said, "There should be at least five to seven feet of open space beside the road, but that hasn't been maintained here. Action should be taken."

Hamidul Islam, president of Kulutia Union BNP, said, "This embankment must be removed in the public interest, no matter what."

However, during a visit, it was observed that while the original footpath was about seven feet wide, at least five feet had been encroached upon.

When asked, neither Kamruzzaman nor Khidir Hasan could provide a satisfactory explanation.

Upazila Assistant Commissioner (Land) Niyaz Makhdum said, "I was not aware of the encroachment. But if a complaint is lodged, prompt legal action will be taken."

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