Satkhira District Citizens Committee formed an hour-long human chain on various demands including sustainable embankment on the coast. The committee presented a memorandum at Satkhira Collectorate premises on Tuesday. Later, the memorandum was given to Satkhira Deputy Commissioner.
Speakers of the human chain said that amid the global coronavirus situation, the recent catastrophic cyclone Amphan hit the coastal areas of Bangladesh including Satkhira. Due to various initiatives taken by the local administration and the government, loss of life due to the storm has been avoided but resources have been severely damaged.
Especially in different areas of Shyamnagar and Asashuni upazilas of Satkhira, dams of Water Development Board have been broken and vast areas have been flooded. Amphan affected people are spending their days in boundless misery.
In the midst of such misfortune, the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) held a meeting on June 2. During the meeting, a project titled 'Development of Drainage System of Polders 1, 2, 6-8 and 6-8 (Extension) of Satkhira District' at a cost of Taka 475 crore has been approved to alleviate waterlogging in Satkhira city and adjoining areas.
Earlier, an organisation called CGIS conducted a field survey on the problem of waterlogging in the area and took public opinion. The speakers mentioned that if the ECNEC approved project reflects that survey and public opinion, this project will solve the problem of waterlogging in Satkhira city and surrounding areas. The speakers thanked Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and all concerned of the government for this.
The speakers further said that Hon’ble Planning Minister MA Mannan mentioned that the project was approved on an urgent basis in view of the catastrophic cyclone Amphan which broke the embankment of Satkhira.
In this context, the speakers also said that the problem of waterlogging in Satkhira is long standing but the damage caused by the cyclone Amphan breaking the embankment is not in the area of this project. Adjacent areas under the Water Development Board Satkhira including Gabura, Padmapukur, Burigoalini, Atulia, Sriula, Pratapnagar and Khajra in Shyamnagar and Asashuni upazilas have been affected. As a result, if the matter is not clarified at the highest level of government, they will be deprived of the sympathy given by the Hon’ble Prime Minister for the affected people in Amphan.
The speakers also said that after the devastating cyclone Ayla on May 25, 2009, Hon'ble Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina came to Shyamnagar, Satkhira on July 23, 2010, where she expressed her sympathy to the bereaved people.