Water rising in Padma, erosion under Pakshi Hardinge Bridge

Tofazzal Hossain, Pabna: As the water in the Padma rises, a severe erosion has occurred under the country's largest railway bridge, Hardinge Bridge, in Ishwardi, Pakshi, Pabna. Locals say that such erosion has not been seen here in the last 30 to 40 years. In a span of just seven days, the river bed has broken from the 3rd pillar (girder) to the 2nd pillar of the bridge. If this erosion continues, the river protection dam may be threatened. Along with that, Hardinge Bridge and Lalon Bridge are also likely to be damaged. On the surface Pakshi Hardinge Bridge area, it can be seen that with the rise of Padma water, severe erosion has started under the bridge. Zia, a fuska and chatpati seller, who was temporarily built under the bridge, said that at the beginning of this year there was char near the 4th pillar, now it has moved to the 2nd pillar to break the char. Tourists and wanderlust from far and wide come to roam under the bridge. They shop and eat in makeshift shops. If the banks of the river are broken like this, people will not come here anymore. We will have no business. No one is taking any action to prevent this erosion. Arab Ali and Zaban Ali of Rooppur village have cultivated various vegetables including sugarcane and banana on about 25 acres of land between Hardinge Bridge and Lalon Shah Bridge. They said that Padma river is breaking fast. Farming under Hardinge Bridge for almost three decades. I have never seen such a sharp erosion. Meanwhile, several lands including banana plantations have been lost in the river. The severity of the erosion seems to have eroded the char around the bridge and dissolved into the river. Harifoon Naeem Ibn Salam, Graz Reader of Water Development Board at Pakshi Harding Bridge Point, said that the water in Padma has increased by more than two meters in the last 10 days. The amount of water on July 25 was 9.25 cm. And on Thursday (August 4) at 12 noon, the amount of water was 11.88 centimeters. On an average, the water in Padma is rising by 25 to 40 cm every day. At the same time, severe erosion has occurred in the Padma under the Hardinge Bridge. Bridge Engineer of Pakshi Railway Division Najeeb Kawshar said that the area around the pillars under the Hardinge Bridge will not be damaged even if the river collapses. Because the pillars of the bridge are placed deep in the river by piling. Regarding the possibility of damage to the river protection dam, he said, I have spoken to the executive engineer of the Pabna Water Development Board several times. A design has been formulated to prevent river erosion by jointly inspecting the river banks. The Water Development Board has assured to take steps to prevent river erosion. Sarwar Jahan Sujan, Executive Engineer of Pabna Water Development Board, said that geo bag dumping was done last year to prevent erosion in Sarada including the area around Hardinge Bridge. Now I know about the increase in water. If the water starts to recede, necessary measures will be taken including dumping of geo bags. He said about the erosion under the Hardinge Bridge, there is no possibility of damage to the bridge or the river protection dam. It is a normal process for the river to break and wake up. We have taken note of this. Any kind of problem will be taken immediate action.