Saha addresses flood fears over Bangladesh border embankment

Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha on Tuesday said his government has taken necessary measures in response to the construction of a massive embankment by the Bangladesh government along the border in South Tripura district.

Bangladesh has built an embankment at Kalikapur on the banks of flood-prone Muhuri river, which runs along the India-Bangladesh border in the South Tripura district. State PWD Secretary Kiran Gitte visited the area after local elected representatives raised concerns about flooding in Belonia town, Ballamukh and Amjadnagar localities.

The flood and landslides of August 2024, which damaged many river embankments along the India-Bangladesh border, further fuelled concerns among the residents.

The Minister assured that the situation is being closely monitored and given top priority.

Mr. Gitte said the government has plans to construct a dam on the river bank as a countermeasure to protect the low-lying areas of Belonia, which is also the district headquarters of South Tripura.

The Chief Minister said measures are also being taken against “obstructions” created by the Border Guards Bangladesh (BGB) halting the maintenance of a dam in Kailashahar, Unakoti district. The pre-monsoon maintenance of the dam on the banks of Manu river has been halted due to objections from the BGB. The Flood Control Department recently began repair work, but was unable to continue due to protests from Bangladesh.