River erosion threatens Nazirganj ferry pier in Pabna

There has been no let-up in erosion onslaughts on the Padma riverbank in recent time, leaving the existence of Nazirganj ferry pier in Sujanagar upazila of Pabna district under severe threat.

As the upstream water flow increases, the riverbank is breaking and sinking into the riverbed and the ferry pier is advancing towards a possible destruction for the unabated trend of erosion.

The ferry pier is really in a position to collapse into the riverbed at any moment if the current trend of erosion continues.

Once the pier gets harmed somehow, passenger movement on Pabna's Nazirganj and Rajbari's Dhawapara waterways will be halted suspending operation of the two ferries running regularly on the route, it is apprehended.

In addition, due to the severe erosion, panic has spread among the residents of the riverbank, as their homes are already under threat.

It can be seen that large chunks of soil are breaking and falling into the riverbed from below the pontoon on the eastern side of Nazirganj ferry pier. Erosion is continuing just a few feet away from the main pontoon of the ferry.

Local residents live a few yards away from the riverbank. If the erosion continues in the same course, they may lose their homes within a short time.

Locals told the FE that the riverbank has been protected by dumping large blocks on the western side of the river.

On the other hand there is no block on the eastern side where erosion has been continuing for several years, but this time the intensity has increased.

"Within a few more days, our houses will go into the river. Even then, no one will see. We are going to lose even our place to live. We do not want anything, we just want to protect the riverbank. We are in extreme fear that our houses will go into the river," said an anxious resident.

Talking to the people concerned, it was learnt that erosion has intensified due to failure in regulating the river course during the dry season and not taking other measures to protect it.

In addition, unauthorised sand extraction is being carried out within a few kilometres on both sides of the jetty. This unplanned sand extraction is also intensifying erosion.

Tofazzal Hossain, port official of the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA), Nazirganj Ghat, blamed the upazila nirbahi officer (UNB) and deputy commission (DC) for the current deplorable condition of the jetty.

He told the FE that, as per an agreement, the land for the jetty was supposed to be

handed over to the BIWTA in 2023, but the UNO and DC have not done so yet.

That is why they are not able to develop the jetty. If erosion continues like this for a few more days, the jetty will be damaged and they will be forced to move the pontoon.

Sujanagar Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) told the FE, "Due to some objections from the locals, the land was not handed over to the BIWTA. And we have inspected the river erosion site. The Water Development Board is working on this issue.

We have already taken an initiative to do the work on an urgent basis."

UNB from Kurigram says, in Char Gorokmondol, a remote village in Phulbari upazila of Kurigram district, the once-distant rumble of the Dharla River has grown into a deafening roar and with it destruction follows.

Over the past several days, the river's relentless erosion has swallowed more than 50 homes and devoured hundreds of bighas of fertile land.

Families are now left broken and displaced, while around 500 more teeter on the brink of a similar fate.

"What can I say, brother? This is the fifth time my home has gone into the river. I have nothing left," said Ala Boksh, a 65-year-old shopkeeper.

For the past four years, Ala and his wife have been living in makeshift shelters on others' land, surviving on meager earnings from a small roadside shop in Anandabazar that sells thread and rope.

But even that fragile grip on survival is now slipping, as the river edges closer -- just meters from his current dwelling.

He has begun shifting his belongings to his brother-in-law's property. But with no money, the effort has stalled.

"It's like starting from nothing again - and again," he says, his eyes moist with despair.

While erosion is not new to the region, its intensity this year is alarming.

The advancing river now threatens more than 500 families, casting a long shadow over their homes and dreams.

Among those at risk is a newly constructed government structure, the Mujib Kella, built at a cost of over Tk 2 crore to serve as a disaster shelter. Zahurul Islam, 35, and his wife Mahamuda Begum stand at their doorstep, watching the river creep closer.

"We're counting the days," said Mahmuda, adding, "It could be any moment now."

Others in the village share the same fear and grief.

Local youth Kamal Hossain and Abdul Quddus recount the names of those already displaced this year -- Zobed Ali, Monser Ali, Azibor Rahman, and Azgor Ali -- families who lost everything in the blink of an eye.

"It's not just land. It's memories, livelihoods, roots -- all gone in a blink," said Nur Alam.

Last year, the Dharla wiped out 30 families and washed away half a kilometre of road in Char Gorokmondol, according to Union Parishad Member Ayaz Uddin.

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