Around 25 percent of the dredging work on the Bishkhali River in Bagerhat remains incomplete, despite the project deadline expiring last month, due to illegal encroachments and property disputes.

The Bangladesh Water Development Board launched the Tk 45 crore project in 2023 to dredge a 24-km stretch between Morrelganj and Kachua upazilas, aiming to resolve water shortages and boost agricultural productivity. The project was initially set to be completed by December 2024. However, with approximately 3km still undredged, the deadline has been extended to December 2025.

BWDB officials attributed the delays to illegal structures built on river land and legal disputes in areas such as Ramchandrapur and Sagorkathi.

In Sagorkathi, Abul Bashar claimed ownership of land occupied by a house, cemetery, and mosque. "We are the rightful owners as per SA and BS records. Without compensation or rehabilitation, we cannot allow dredging on our purchased land. We have already filed a court case," he said.

In Ramchandrapur, Marjina Begum said her family had purchased two kathas of land to build a house, unaware it would be reclaimed for river excavation. "We never knew the government would claim this property. Now we are left with nothing," she said.

Abu Raihan Mohammad Al Biruni, BWDB's executive engineer in Bagerhat, said that dredging is proceeding based on the river's CS records.

"Notices and public announcements were issued to illegal occupiers. Legal action will be taken if they do not remove the structures," he said. The BWDB has yet to receive court notice on Bashar's case, he added.

Once a vital waterway, the Bishkhali has suffered heavy siltation from years of neglect, causing severe irrigation water shortages.

Shankar Kumar Majumdar, deputy director of the Department of Agricultural Extension in Bagerhat, said that Aman paddy is currently cultivated on 26,000 hectares in Morrelganj, Kachua, and Sharankhola upazilas, but only 9,000 hectares are used for Boro cultivation due to water scarcity.

"If dredging is completed, around 20,000 hectares of cropland can be cultivated during the Rabi season," he said.