During the sultanate period, traders and rich people used to travel from the Meghna River to the historical city of Panam by Barja, jewels, or big boats through the Marikhali River in Sonargaon of Narayanganj. Currently, the river is on the verge of extinction due to pollution, encroachment, and navigability crisis.
It is known that the river flows near the Meghna River in the Baidyerbazar Union of Upazila. The river flows past the historical hat of Kaikartek in Sonargaon Municipality, Pirojpur, and Mograpara Union. Later this river joined the Brahmaputra River. The rainwater of different areas of the four unions and municipalities of the upazila falls into this river. Due to pollution and encroachment, the Marikhali River no longer has its former form. This river is 8 kilometers long and 42 meters wide. The river is now on the way to dying. Meanwhile, seven bridges have been constructed by the Roads and Highway Department (RHD) and the Local Government Engineering Department (LGED) at various places to facilitate traffic over the river. But all five bridges are not built high enough. When the water in the river rises during monsoon, the movement of cargo trawlers, passenger trawlers, launches, and steamers is stopped. Meanwhile, as a result of river pollution, at least half a million residents of 35 villages including Jianagar, Bhavanathpur, Bireshergaon, Ratanpur, Bhatibandar, Morichakandi, Jainpur, Habibpur, Pirojpur, Kadirnagar, Dudhghata, Khuliapara of the upazila are in dire straits.
Mohammad Mubarak Hossain, deputy director of Narayanganj Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA), said that excavation will be started with the help of dredgers to restore the navigability of this river. The survey has already been completed. Apart from this, a list of encroachers will be prepared and action will be taken against them.
Sonargaon upazila executive officer Abdullah Al Mahfuz said we will make this river free from encroachment and pollution. Action will be taken soon.
ARS
