Bangladesh’s Border Embankment :CM Seeks Centre’s Intervention
Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha on Tuesday confirmed that his government has alerted the Centre about the construction of embankments by Bangladesh along the international border, particularly across from Unakoti and South Tripura districts. These embankments, he warned, could pose a serious threat to border towns and nearby villages during the upcoming monsoon season.
Speaking to the media at Amtali in Agartala during the inauguration of a new school building, Chief Minister Saha said,
“The state government is closely monitoring the developments and has taken necessary steps, especially concerning Unakoti district. In the case of South Tripura, we’ve compiled detailed reports and sent them to the Central Government for appropriate and timely action.”
Concerns Over Flood Risks Near Kailashahar and Belonia
According to officials, embankments being erected on the Bangladeshi side of the border could alter natural water flow patterns, heightening flood risks for Kailashahar in Unakoti district and Belonia in South Tripura. These urban hubs, along with several adjacent border villages, have historically been vulnerable to flooding during the monsoon.
The Chief Minister assured citizens that Tripura is simultaneously reinforcing its own flood defense infrastructure. “Embankments are also being built on the Indian side in vulnerable zones to reduce the potential impact of cross-border hydrological changes,” he stated.
|Also Read : Top Tripura officials Review Bangladesh’s Border Embankment Impact |
Rs 150 Crore Allocated for Flood Mitigation Measures
Further details were shared by Tripura Public Works Department (PWD) Secretary Kiran Gitte, who recently conducted an on-ground assessment of the border areas along with senior officials. Gitte revealed that the state has launched a massive embankment strengthening initiative, with a budget allocation of ₹150 crore.
“Our teams have identified vulnerable stretches and work is already underway to either build new embankments or repair damaged ones,” he said, noting that most projects will be completed before the onset of the monsoon in June.
The state’s PWD, Water Resource Development Department, and Disaster Management Authority are jointly preparing for the four-month-long monsoon season (June to September), when the state is most susceptible to floods and landslides.
Strategic Response to Last Year’s Flood Disaster
The move follows last year’s devastating monsoon, when massive floods and landslides in August damaged large sections of river embankments and other infrastructure in multiple districts. Gitte said that 43 critical sites have been identified for immediate repair or reconstruction, many of which lie in South Tripura.
“We are prioritizing locations that shield district headquarters and densely populated settlements, especially around Belonia and Kailashahar,” he added.
Political Leaders Call for Central Action
The issue has also drawn the attention of opposition leaders. CPI-M MLA Dipankar Sen and Congress MLA and former Minister Birajit Sinha have both pressed the state government to escalate the matter with New Delhi.
Birajit Sinha, who represents Kailashahar constituency, has gone a step further, organizing protests and awareness campaigns to highlight the risks posed by Bangladesh’s embankment construction. He has consistently demanded central government intervention to address what he describes as a looming environmental and humanitarian risk.
A Call for Diplomatic Engagement
As tensions rise along the border over water management issues, experts and civil society groups are urging India and Bangladesh to engage diplomatically to prevent potential flashpoints, particularly those that could disrupt civilian life during natural disasters.
With the monsoon fast approaching, the next few weeks will be crucial in determining the success of both Tripura’s mitigation strategies and the response from the Central Government to cross-border infrastructure activities.
