Farida Akhtar, Adviser to the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock, announced that parts of the Itna-Mithamain-Ashtagram road in Kishoreganj might be demolished if necessary to safeguard Sylhet from recurring floods.
She made this statement on Saturday morning (November 23) while addressing a Stakeholders Consultation Workshop on Protecting Fisheries Resources in Haor in Sylhet.
Highlighting the adverse effects of unplanned infrastructure in haor regions, Farida said, "Haors are being filled indiscriminately. Dams and roads have been constructed in an unplanned manner under the guise of modernisation. This has disrupted water flow, damaged the haors, and harmed fisheries resources."
She emphasised that ensuring the natural flow of water in Sylhet’s rivers is crucial for flood prevention and environmental preservation.
"If necessary, some sections of the Itna-Mithamain-Ashtagram road will be removed. This decision will be finalised after consultation and approval through an inter-ministerial process," she added.
The event was presided over by Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock, ATM Mostafa Kamal. Divisional Commissioner Abu Ahmed Siddiqui and Deputy Commissioner Sher Mahbub Murad were also in attendance.