The first rubber dam to be set up in Cox's Bazar district on the river Bankkhali of Jhilangja union in Cox's Bazar district has become unusable. Thousands of farmers in 5 unions of the district are extremely disappointed that the dam construction work was not completed on time. Their claim is that only dams are being built in name to waste government money.
Sirajullah, a farmer in the area said that he is not able to cultivate any kind of land on 8 acres of land due to lack of water. He thought he would get water as soon as the construction of the dam is completed, in the hope that he would cultivate cabbage, cauliflower and bean as winter vegetables but now all the trees are dying due to lack of water.
"When the rubber dam became useless, we applied to the Upazila Engineering Office several times to provide water for cultivation, even with alternative dams," he said.
The dam was also built by the government last year but farmers in the area did not get water when they needed it. As a result, many lands were uncultivated.
This year too, the same situation is due to the extreme negligence of the contractor Farooq, thousands of farmers in 5 unions will not be playing. Meanwhile, Mohammad Ali of Chander Para area said that these are all schemes to waste government money.
Now it is the last stage of winter vegetable cultivation and also water is required for paddy cultivation. If it does not benefit the people then why that project. In fact, they have no responsibility towards the people, the game is over only if they can justify 1 crore and 15 lakh Tk after completing the work. Will be back next year.
Abu Bakkar Siddique, a farmer of Ramu Kawarkhop Union, said that if water was not stored in the Bankkhali Rubber Dam, there would be no water here. And if there is no water, how can the farmers cultivate? So this year also his 2 acres of land is lying vacant. A few days ago, the tobacco company came and now he thinks he has made a big mistake by not giving them. At least he could got some money.
Tipu Sultan, chairman of Jhilangja Union, said that it is very disappointing. The government does everything for the people but the people get nothing.
Everything is divided in advance. He demands immediate completion of the dam construction work.
Chairman of PMkhali Union Mohammad Abdullah said that due to lack of water, many lands are lying vacant. Therefore, he demanded to take action after investigating any irregularities in the construction of the dam. In this regard, the contractor Farooq said, "I finished the construction of the dam 3 days ago, but the sandbags have moved again in the tidal water.
I hope the work will be completed in a few days. And everyone knows that the budget allocated 1 crore 15 lakh Tk.”
Helal Uddin, assistant engineer of Sadar Upazila Engineering Office, said, "These are water works, so no one knows when or what will happen." However, it ended a few days ago, but now we have to do it again. Moniruzzaman, an engineer in the same department, said there was a committee to check the quality of work. And all the arrangements are being made for the people to get water after finishing the work quickly.