Illegal Sand Extraction Under the Cover of Road Repair

In Anwara of Chattogram, a contractor has been extracting sand from the Shankha River, claiming it is needed for road repair works. However, locals allege that much of this sand is being sold elsewhere, increasing the risk of riverbank erosion.

According to the LGED office, renovation work has been undertaken on the Shah Mohsen Aulia road from Bottoli Rustamhat Bazar to Wahed Ali Bazar in Raypur Union. The project, costing approximately Tk 26 crore, was awarded to Yakub & Brothers. The main contractor later handed over the work on contract to Engineer Md Habib Ullah, the South District Joint Coordinator of the National Citizen Party, along with several others. They are currently conducting the renovation work.

During a recent field visit, sand was seen being extracted from vulnerable areas of the Shankha River. The sub-contractor claims they obtained administrative permission to collect sand for the project. Locals, however, state that although some sand is being transported to the work site, hundreds of truckloads are being sold privately. Meanwhile, the Water Development Board spends huge sums every year to protect the same riverbanks.

Local resident Shahab Uddin said large quantities of sand are being taken daily from risky points of the river. Although the contractors claim it is for the road project, the additional sand being extracted is being sold elsewhere, endangering embankments and blocks built at significant cost.

Another resident, Kamal Uddin, said he purchased 50 truckloads of sand from the contractor’s men for land-filling, paying Tk 1,350 per truck. When this reporter contacted Md Chhaid, who is in charge of the sand field, posing as a customer, he quoted Tk 1,400 per truck for delivery 2.5 kilometres away.

Regarding the allegations, sub-contractor Engineer Habib Ullah denied wrongdoing. He said, “We brought sand from outside with administrative permission. It is being used solely for road development, not sold privately.”

Water Development Board Engineer Barnok Haque warned that extracting sand near the embankment could damage the blocks and increase river erosion. Upazila Engineer Zahedul Alam Chowdhury said he was unaware of the source of the sand, although the project is being implemented by a sub-contracting firm.

Anwara Upazila Nirbahi Officer Tahmina Akhter stated, “No contractor has been authorised to extract sand from the river for road development work. The matter will be investigated, and action will be taken.”

Khaborwala/TSN