Illegal Sand Mining Puts Kurigram’s Sonahat Bridge at Risk

Illegal sand extraction from the Dudhkumar River has sparked fears among residents that the under-construction Sonahat Bridge and nearby flood protection dams are at risk of collapse.

Local sources report that powerful dredger machines have been installed near the construction site of the 645-meter bridge.

The project, managed by the Roads and Highways Department (RHD), began in 2019 with a budget of 136.33 crore taka. Though originally set for completion in 2021, the deadline has been extended to June 2024.

Residents of Paikerchhara Union allege that an influential group is extracting sand freely, causing the riverbed to deepen. This activity threatens the concrete blocks of the bank protection dam and puts nearby croplands and residential areas at risk of erosion.

"The sand lifting is happening so close to the bridge blocks that we fear they will shift," said a local resident who requested anonymity due to safety concerns.

While the accused, Masud Rana, claimed he was lifting sand for the bridge's connecting road under the instructions of the contractor, MM Builders, the firm's project manager, Shamim Ahmed, denied these claims. "We have not ordered anyone to extract sand illegally," Ahmed stated.

Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Shahadat Hossain confirmed that an investigation is underway. "We are sending a team to the spot immediately and will take strict action to stop any illegal activities," he said.