Tripura officials submit detailed report of embankment construction side in Bangladesh

Tripura's Unakoti district administration has submitted a detailed report to senior officials of the state government regarding the construction of an embankment on the Bangladesh side, located near Rangauti Village in Unakoti. 

Tripura shares 856-km-long international border with Bangladesh. 

Recently, Congress MLA Birajit Sinha and Tripura Fisheries Minister Sudhangshu Das raised concerns in the Assembly about the construction of the river embankment on the zero line on Bangladesh’s side, which could pose a threat to Rangauti Village in Kailashahar, Unakoti District, in the event of future floods.  

On January 17, the District Magistrate of Unakoti District, D.K. Chakma, Additional District Magistrate Arghya Saha, and other officials visited the area.  

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Speaking on the matter, District Magistrate Chakma said, “We have received a report that on the Bangladesh side, authorities are constructing an embankment for floodwater protection. To inspect this, we visited the site. We observed that the old embankment on their side has been raised further. In the coming days, if floodwaters increase significantly, the existing embankment on the Tripura side will need to be strengthened. This matter requires attention at the ministry level. The embankment on the Bangladesh side is being constructed right on the zero line, whereas our embankment is approximately 200 guz (182 meters) away from the zero line. The visible length of their embankment is around 1 km, and work is ongoing.”  

The DM also highlighted reports indicating that the embankment on the Bangladesh side may be reinforced with bitumen and plaster, which could weaken the embankment on the Indian side. 

He added, “The Government of India must take necessary steps. We have not been informed of any prior meetings regarding this construction.”  

Speaking with India Today NE, Additional District Magistrate Arghya Saha said, “The embankment on the zero line is about 20 feet high with a width of 15 meters. The area where the present construction is underway is prone to flood water. We suspect that the construction may extend further. However, we have submitted a report to the Tripura Government on this issue.”