Illegal Sand Extraction Banned in Bheramara’s Padma River, Red Flags Installed

The Bheramara upazila administration has taken strict measures to prevent illegal sand extraction from the Padma River by installing red flags at the Toriya sand-mining area near Munshipara and Tiktikipara ghats in West Bahirchar and Char Rupur mouzas of Bahirchar Union, Kushtia.

The red flags were installed during an operation at around 6:30pm Wednesday by Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) and Executive Magistrate Amirul Arafat, Assistant Commissioner (Land) Dr Gazi Ashik Bahar and police from Bheramara Police Station.

According to the administration, illegal sand extraction has been continuing in the area for a long time, causing severe erosion along the Padma River. Hundreds of acres of land have reportedly been washed away in previous years.

As a result, several nationally important infrastructures—including the Hardinge Bridge, Lalon Shah Bridge, India-Bangladesh Combined Power Plant and the Pabna-Kushtia highway—have faced potential risks.

The administration said sand extraction has also contributed to unrest, incidents of gunfire and even killings in the area, besides causing environmental damage.

On June 6, the upazila administration had previously installed red flags throughout the sand-mining area to prevent illegal extraction. Two days earlier, on June 4, authorities from the Ministry of Local Government had also installed red flags along the road leading to the Bahirchar sand-mining area.

Despite these measures, sand traders allegedly continued their activities without complying with the restrictions.

During Wednesday’s operation, the administration installed red flags for the second time and also disconnected pipeline connections used to transport sand.

UNO Amirul Arafat said the red flags had been installed at the Toriya area for the second time. Warning signboards had also previously been installed, while the upazila administration has been conducting regular drives.

“Despite all these measures, it has not been possible to stop the unscrupulous groups,” he said.