Tripura PWD official to visit border villages as Bangladesh embankment sparks alarm

After Tripura villagers residing in border areas raised concerns over the reconstruction of an embankment at Bangladesh's Kalikapur, Tripura PWD Secretary Kiran Gitte will embark on a visit to Ballamukh and Ishan Chandranagar in Belonia subdivision today, April 20.

According to officials, Bangladesh has nearly completed the renovation of an embankment in Kalikapur, located in Feni district, to prevent floodwaters from flowing in from the Indian side.

"To protect Kalikapur and its adjacent areas, Bangladesh has been constructing an embankment with a height of 8 to 9 feet. However, this has raised serious concern among Indian villagers living in three villages — Uttar Belonia, Ballamukh, Ishan Chandranagar — and nearby localities," MLA Dipankar Sen told PTI.

Sen said that during his visit, villagers expressed deep concern, warning that the low-lying areas of three to four Indian villages could be severely affected by flooding due to the embankment on the Bangladeshi side.

Villagers have demanded the construction of a canal from Ballamukh to Kalikapur via Ishan Chandranagar to allow floodwaters to pass during monsoon, he added.

Earlier, the MLA met the District Magistrate (DM) of South Tripura, Muhammad Sajad P., and briefed him on the concerns raised by locals in light of Bangladesh’s efforts to block floodwaters from the Indian side.

Contacted, South Tripura’s Additional District Magistrate Pradeep K. confirmed the upcoming visit of Gitte.

"Gitte is scheduled to visit the affected locations on Sunday to gain firsthand knowledge of the concerns raised by the villagers," he said.

"I can't give any official comment on the issue as this is an international matter", he said. (With PTI inputs)