UNO Inspects River Erosion at Narail’s Bardia Bazar, Provides Assistance to 16 Traders and Orders Geobag Placement

Sixteen small traders affected by riverbank erosion at the historic Bardia Bazar river port in Kalia upazila of Narail have received government financial assistance under an emergency disaster relief programme. Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Md Jinnatul Islam also inspected the erosion-affected area and directed the immediate placement of geobags to prevent further damage.

On Monday afternoon (October 12), UNO Md Jinnatul Islam, accompanied by Upazila Project Implementation Officer Md Mostafa Kamal, visited the damaged sections of Bardia Bazar to assess the extent of the erosion and its impact on local businesses.

During the visit, government assistance was distributed among 16 affected small traders, including tea stall owners and nursery operators who had suffered losses due to the erosion.

Local political figures, business representatives and members of civil society were also present during the inspection.

Following the visit, UNO Jinnatul Islam said emergency measures would be initiated to protect the remaining sections of the market from further erosion.

He stated that geobags would initially be placed along the vulnerable riverbank to stabilise the affected area. Subsequently, a more permanent erosion protection system would be developed through the installation of concrete blocks.

The erosion began suddenly on Sunday afternoon (October 11) near an existing concrete block-protected section on the western side of Bardia ferry terminal.

Approximately 40 hath, a traditional local unit of length equivalent to about 60 feet, of the riverbank collapsed into the river.

The incident reportedly destroyed eight to ten tea stalls, five plant nurseries and several warehouses, causing substantial financial losses to local small business owners.

The sudden erosion at a commercially important section of the historic Bardia Bazar has raised concerns among traders and residents, who fear that additional businesses and infrastructure could be threatened if immediate protective measures are not implemented.

Local traders welcomed the government's decision to provide emergency assistance to affected business owners and initiate erosion control measures.

However, they emphasised the importance of implementing a sustainable, long-term solution to safeguard the remaining market area and prevent further losses.

Residents and business owners expressed hope that the authorities would act promptly to complete the proposed protective work and preserve the historic river port, which remains an important centre of local trade and economic activity.