The Unakoti district administration of Tripura has submitted a detailed report to the state government regarding the construction of a river embankment by Bangladesh near Rangauti Village, Kailashahar. Officials fear the construction, located on the zero line of the international border, could pose a significant flood risk to the Indian side. Tripura shares an 856-km-long border with Bangladesh, and the recent developments have sparked concerns among local authorities and legislators. Congress MLA Birajit Sinha and Fisheries Minister Sudhangshu Das raised the issue during the Assembly, emphasizing the potential threat to Rangauti Village in the event of severe flooding.
On January 17, District Magistrate D.K. Chakma, Additional District Magistrate Arghya Saha, and other officials visited the site to assess the situation. DM Chakma stated, “The embankment on the Bangladesh side has been elevated significantly. If floodwaters rise, the existing embankment on our side will need reinforcement. This requires immediate attention at the ministry level.” Officials observed that the embankment on the Bangladesh side, approximately 1 km in length, is being constructed with reinforced materials such as bitumen and plaster, which could weaken the Indian embankment situated about 182 meters away from the zero line.
ADM Saha highlighted that the embankment is around 20 feet high and 15 meters wide. “The area is prone to flooding, and we suspect the construction may extend further. A detailed report has been submitted to the Tripura Government,” he said.
