The government is going to construct causeways in Haor districts for protecting croplands from flash floods. The causeways will help improving the drainage system and ease transportation of water vessels in haor areas, said officials. They said the Water Resources ministry would implement a project constructing 176 causeways in four districts.
Mentionable, a causeway is a track or road on the upper point of an embankment across a low-lying waterbody. It can be constructed of earth, masonry, wood, or concrete. In this regard, a proposal has been sent to planning ministry for the approval, a senior official of the planning commission told Bangladesh Post.
Sources said, under the project, 121 causeways in Sunamganj, 11 in Habiganj, 25 in Netrokona, and 19 in Kishoreganj would be constructed. In addition, there will be 17.6 km of connecting roads and other additional infrastructural developments constructed under the project. At present, there are 95 haors in Sunamganj, 14 each in Habiganj and Netrokona, and 97 in Kishoreganj causeways at the area.
The project estimates of Tk Tk914.62 crore which will come from the government exchequer. The project would be implemented by next three years. Due to the heavy rains, flash flood created from border area in Asam, Meghalay and Tripura. It destroys our crops especially Boro paddy. So there would be needed for constructing causeways in these areas for improving drainage system of water and ease transportation of water vessels.
Heavy rain, especially in monsoon, leads to flash floods in the haor region which destroys harvests, property, and leaves the region waterlogged for weeks, and sometimes months. As dams and embankments are costly, short-term endeavours, causeways are expected to act as a permanent infrastructure.
The official said that the project will place before the executive committee of the national economic council (ECNEC) meeting soon for approval. The causeways will help maintaining balance in the water flow. It will help with the reproduction cycle of fishes and reduce risk of flash floods, the proposal said.