PABNA: Severe erosion of river Jamuna has left age-old Nagarbari Ghat and the river port on the verge of destruction. 

Several hundred families became homeless caused by the erosion while the affected people demanded removal of director general of Water Development Board (WDB) and executive engineer in Bera upazila as they failed to protect the ghat and the port.

banglanews24.com.bd Correspondent reported that Nagarbari-Kazirhat highway and the dam of rural development project was very close to the river.

If the highway is engulfed by the river, the ghat would be found in history, local people said.  

Fertilizer supply to the adjacent district would be stopped if erosion is not prevented immediately. Sources said the erosion also damaged the fertilizer buffer stocks.

Rezaul Karim, a local businessman, said there are 350 buffer stocks at the Nagarbari Ghat from where fertilizers are supplied to the Northern part of the country.

As the water level was increasing, local sources said the erosion was affecting houses and agriculture land.

Thousands of people lost their houses and they are living under open sky, said witnesses.   

Hakim Uddin, a victim of the latest erosion said, "I have lost everything for the erosion. No one cares for a permanent solution."

Khandaker Azizul Haque Arzu, Chairmen of Bera upazila, said negligence of the WDB has caused the erosion.

Arzu said the local MP and Planning Minister Air Vice (rtd) AK Khandaker requested the DG of WDB several times for taking steps, but he was reluctant.

Local officials of the WDB, when contacted, did not want to make any comment on the allegations.

BDST: 1700 HRS, JULY 12, 2010