Tripura sets June deadline for embankment repairs amidst allegations of illegal construction by Bangladesh

Tripura has set a target to complete all the works related to maintenance and construction of river embankments by June, said Secretary of PWD and Water Resources Kiran Gitte on Sunday, April 20.

Tripura shares 856 Km long international border with Bangladesh.

Gitte said this after he visited Belonia sub-division of Tripura’s South District following concerns raised by CPIM legislator Dipankar Sen and locals of Belonia town about the alleged illegal construction of another embankment near the Muhuri River in South Tripura by Bangladesh.
 
Sen, who is an MLA of Belonia Assembly Constituency, said the embankment is approximately 1.5-km-long and 20-ft in height.

He alleged that the Bangladesh authority is constructing the embankment within 50 yards from the international border near the Muhuri River, which they can't do as per the pact. None of the countries is allowed to make any construction within 150 yards of the zero line, but this embankment has come up at a distance as short as 50 yards and even less than 10 yards in some places. 

He pointed out that in the coming days, if a flood occurs, Belonia town will be affected badly.

Today a team of Government officials including officials from Tripura government led by Gitte, BSF senior officials visited the spot and held a meeting.

After inspection, Gitte said that work is underway in 43 locations across the state for flood management.

“Water resources and flood management departments are working diligently. In some places, work has already started and in some places, it has not yet. Somewhere we are repairing old river embankments and maintenance work of broken embankments is underway. By June, all the works would be completed. As major works in Belonia, we have decided to put five engineers here on deputation basis to complete the work within two months. There is no need to panic,” said Gitte.

The official said that last year an unprecedented flood situation occurred due to which many river embankments were damaged, especially in South District.

“Some works are underway. On both the left and right banks of river Muhuri, work is ongoing and some more works will be starting. For that, we have come here with local representatives,” he added.