Tk29cr canal turns into dumping ground

The Shiyaljani Canal, flowing through the municipal town of Mohanganj in Netrokona’s haor region, has turned into a dumping ground despite more than Tk29 crore being spent on its development and rehabilitation.
Once used by boats and local residents for various daily activities, the canal is now filled with water hyacinth, polythene and other waste, disrupting water flow and creating an unpleasant environment.
A branch of the Kangsha River, the canal underwent rehabilitation and dredging work in 2016. In 2018, the Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB) and Mohanganj Municipality jointly undertook various development initiatives, including removing illegal structures and improving the canal banks.
According to municipal officials, the BWDB spent Tk15.87 crore to install concrete blocks and protective structures along both banks of the 2-km canal from Goruhatta Road to Mailora.
The municipality spent Tk5 crore to build five aesthetically designed bridges to facilitate movement across the canal. Another Tk8.04 crore was spent on durable drains and other infrastructure along the two banks. Bhawal Construction implemented the project.
After completion, the project improved movement in the area, while the attractive bridges drew visitors to the canal banks.
That picture has now changed.
A recent visit found the entire canal covered with water hyacinth. Waste, polythene and garbage dumped from nearby roads have obstructed water flow. Local residents alleged that traders dump waste into the canal due to a lack of proper management.
The walkways along both banks have also become overgrown with bushes. Several electric lights are out of order, while others provide only dim lighting.
Residents said the stench has made it difficult to use the road along the canal. They also alleged that incidents of theft and mugging occur after dusk and that drug users gather there at night.
Local resident Shafiqul Islam said people from the market dump waste into the canal whenever they get the opportunity, while homeless people use it for defecation and urination.
He said the stench, garbage and overgrown vegetation have made the road difficult for pedestrians and that drug users often gather there at night.
Another resident, Jibon Saha, recalled that boats once travelled through the canal and people used its water for bathing and washing household utensils. Water from the Kangsha River also flowed through the canal to several haors.
He said the canal had been rehabilitated in the past but had deteriorated again due to a lack of maintenance, making further rehabilitation necessary.
Mohanganj municipal engineer Saiful Amin said the BWDB had not formally handed over the Shiyaljani Canal to the municipality, preventing them from taking necessary measures.
However, BWDB sub-assistant engineer Enayet Hossain said the canal had been handed over to the municipality after the development work and that maintaining cleanliness was its responsibility.
Mohanganj Upazila Nirbahi Officer Amena Khatun said the issue was important and that steps would be taken to clean and free the canal from pollution as soon as possible, subject to the availability of funds.
She said the BWDB had already been asked to take action and that work would begin at the earliest possible time.