Ichamati River Excavation Stalls Amid Fuel Crisis

The restoration of Pabna’s historic Ichamati River has hit a major bottleneck as a severe diesel shortage has left excavation machinery idle for over a week. The delay has sparked public frustration and raised concerns regarding the project's 2027 completion deadline.

At various points along the river, heavy excavators and dredging equipment sit stationary. Local contractors, including Ahad Builders, report that they cannot procure the fuel necessary to sustain operations. "We haven't had diesel in over a week," said Johny, an excavator operator in the Antuya Hauzpara area. "The machines are off, and we are just waiting. Progress is impossible under these conditions."

The timing of the crisis is particularly worrying for residents. With the monsoon season approaching, locals fear that incomplete sections may silt up again, wasting public funds. "The work is interrupted constantly," noted Alfaz Mia, a Pabna city resident. "If this isn't finished before the rains, it’s just a waste of money."

Contractors are also feeling the heat, reporting daily financial losses due to idle labor and equipment rentals.

Project authorities maintain that the impasse is temporary. Sudhangshu Kumar Sarkar, Director of the Ichamati River Restoration and Revitalization Project, stated that they are working with the district administration to secure a priority fuel supply.

Pabna’s Deputy Commissioner, Aminul Islam, added: "We have alerted the Ministry of Energy regarding the shortage and expect a resolution shortly."

The 1,554 crore Ichamati River Revitalization Project was launched in 2023 to meet a long-standing demand from the people of Pabna. Supervised by the Bangladesh Army’s Engineering Corps (24 Engineer Construction Brigade), the project aims to excavate 110.216 kilometers of riverbed and link channels.