Crowded with visitors. The lifestyle of local people has changed. Even two years ago, the residents of Charbaria and Charkauar Union of Barisal Sadar Upazila kept vigil at night due to the fear of river erosion. Today there is no fear of erosion.
Not only that, numerous small and big shops and 8/10 modern Chinese and Bengali food restaurants have developed in the riverside area. Hundreds of people are thronging these areas every day. The devoured area of Kirtankhola River Charbaria has already become known as a commercial spot as the river bank now has increased traffic of visitors for free air and safe and comfortable movement in a quiet environment. In addition to local residents, people from far and wide are thronging the banks of the river.
The embankment area along the river bank is crowded till late night. People fearlessly waits long in the moonlit night with family members to enjoy the light. Enjoy the fresh air of the river. All in all, the embankment of Charkaua and Charbaria rivers of Kirtankhola in Barishal Sadar Upazila is creating a new dream in the minds of common people. And all these things have been made possible by the Minister of State for Water Resources and Barishal Sadar Constituency MP Col. Zahid Farooq Shamim's solitary effort.
An excellent embankment has been made by placing blocks on both sides of the river to prevent erosion. Where once there was a fear of erosion. Now tourism has been created there. Land prices have doubled due to embankment.
Most of the roads in the 10 Unions of Barishal Sadar Upazila are now dirt roads. Therefore, the movement of rickshaws, auto rickshaws and easy bikes has increased. They rushed to the embankment to enjoy the beauty of the river very easily. But even two years ago, those were unusable in knee-deep water.
Rafiqul Islam, a traveler from the Charkaua part of this embankment, said that for 30 years, there was no direct communication system from East Karnakathi in Charkaua Union of Sadar Upazila to Charkaranji High School. Seeing the video of the children swimming across, the Member of Parliament rushed to the Minister of State for Water Resources Col. Zahid Farooq Shamim. Seeing the situation with his own eyes, he immediately took measures to build roads and bridges in that area.
A few other residents of East Karnakathi village including Musa Khan, Amjad Hossain and member Mujibur Rahman Lichu said that the main problem in this area was the bridge and road. Zahid Farooq Shamim MP came and personally identified all the problems and ordered the construction of five bridges and culverts first. The road work is now just waiting for the tender.
After five o'clock in the afternoon every day, the local people are impressed by the crowd of people in the Charbaria embankment area. 60-80 seats with excellent lighting are arranged over an area of about 6 km. What was a fear even a couple of years ago, today the 5.6 km river protection dam area of Charbaria area has become an entertainment center. The cost of which was fixed at Tk. 380 crore 67 lakh.
There is still a lot of work to be done on the embankment from Beltala Kheyaghat in Barishal to Bangar Hat in Charbaria. Tourism potential will be created in the embankment area only after this work is completed. Several hotel restaurants have also been developed. Local residents claim that if this embankment extends to the house of Lamchari Arj Ali Matubbar, the number of tourists will increase.
Minister of State for Water Resources Col. Zahid Farooq said that a project worth Tk. 800 crore has been taken up here. Some work is still left on the embankment of Charbaria. Two roads are devoured, 200 meters of work at the end of the embankment and a connecting bridge are required for general public movement which would have been made long ago if known earlier. A total of 6 km blocks of 5.6 km in Charbaria section on the western side of the river and 3 km on the eastern side have already been completed.
The State Minister said, I have given orders to build roads and bridges in areas where the roads are broken and there are no connecting bridges. At the end of this month or the beginning of next month, the embankment work will start again in Charkaua area. At that time, it was announced to repair the part of Charbaria where the embankment was damaged and to construct a connecting bridge.