On October 2, the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (Ecnec) approved 15 projects involving Tk 13,218.31 crore, including Tk-4,371 crore ‘Navigability development and reclamation of Old Brahmaputra, Dharla, Tulai and Punorbhoba Rivers’ project.

Brahmapurta, once a river with strong current, turned into a narrow canal, thanks to illegal encroachment by local influential people.

Only a few years back it was a busy waterway as the vicinity of the river was abuzz with traders and fishermen amid widespread use of boats and trawlers.

 But the scenario has changed soon as the river here has turned into a canal, leaving people living on the river banks unemployed. Several thousand hectares of agricultural lands have turned barren as the farmers failed to pump water into their croplands due to water crisis.

Kutub Uddin, a resident of Dakpara village in Charpokkhimari union in Sadar upazila, said people used to carry their goods to Mymensingh, Dhaka and Narayanganj through the river routes from Roumari but the river has dried up and transportation of goods has stopped.

“When the river water used to swell, croplands and dwelling houses would have inundated, but now the river has turned into a cannel,” he said.

Under the new project, around 227 kilometres of the Old Brahmaputra River would be dredged up to 100 metres of width and 3 metres of depth to upgrade it to a class-II navigational route to ensure the transportation of passengers and goods at ease and lower costs.

Besides, Shipping Secretary Abdus Samad Faruk, who visited Sherpur recently, said the soil lifted from the river will be used in different development works, including road, school and colleges renovation activities, he said.

Besides, a waterbody will be built on the river bank to help farmers use the water in their croplands during the dry season.

Md Abul Kalam Azad, convener of Publicity Sherpur District committee, said,” We welcome the government move to improve the navigability of the Brahmmaputra River as it is a long-cherished demand of the people of Sherpur. We want implementation of the development project as soon as possible.”

Anar Koli Mahbub, deputy commissioner of Sherpur, said, “Once this river dredging project is implemented, the communications system of the region will have different look, expanding tourism and business.”