The Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB) is planning a Tk 110 billion (Tk 11,000 crore) project to repair embankments in four upazilas to tackle river erosion.
Under this project, at least 82 kilometres of vulnerable dyke parts will be repaired.
The initiative was taken after identifying weak spots in embankments in Paikgachha, Koyra, Dacope and Batiaghata upazilas, said Khulna BWDB-2 sources. The Development Project Proposal (DPP) has also been prepared.
"We'll repair around 36km stretch of embankments with Japan International Cooperation Agency's funding," the source said.
Under this project, around 10.5km part of Shibsa River will be dredged from Shibsa bridge to Soladana area. About 10km stretch of Haria River from Putimari to Lotabazar area, 270m of Kurulia River, and 372m of Shibsa River in Paikgachha will also be dredged, reports UNB.
Parts of the river bank will also be repaired. The work will cost an estimated Tk 2.1662 billion (Tk 216.62 crore). Japan will provide the fund. The technical team has already visited the sites and filed a report.
Meanwhile, the BWDB plans to construct one kilometer alternative embankment in Dacope and Batiaghata. Another 46km stretch of embankments will also be repaired. The estimated cost of the work has been fixed at Tk 8.4041 billion (Tk 840.41 crore).
"The dykes in these areas are vulnerable. We need to protect the banks to tackle river erosion," said Khulna-2 BWDB Executive Engineer Md Najmul Haque.
