Padma Multipurpose Bridge Project

41. In Mawa side, a newly emerged Charland to the south of the Main bridge approach wasconsidered an appropriate location with an acquisition area of 81ha (Figure 2-11). This land isproposed to be procured through acquisition for future potential use of the BBA for maintenance ofgoods movement and storage, display and archiving of the bridge construction. Two channelssurround the new Charland, which is barely above the water even in dry season. One is to separatewith the mainland and the second one is the deeper channel. An obvious advantage of the site is thatit will not entail any displacement of households. However, titles and ownership of the new Charlandremains to be determined. The CY1 in Mawa side is agri-charland, seperated with the mainland by anarrow shallow channel at Vill. Kumarbhog. Agriculture crops such as paddy (roppa) and peanut arecultivated on this charland. It is a stable and floodplain char and not submerged during normal flood.Only during high floods (1988, 1998, and 2004 floods), this char is submerged at the water depth ofabout 1.5m. No settlements, waterbodies, and trees are located on this charland.42. The Janjira CY is more critical from construction point of view, because it will be used as the“staging area” for materials and equipments for the Main Bridge. Requisition (i.e., temporary renting) ofsome 78 ha of land between the landing area and Mongol Majir ghat to the south has been identified(Figure 2-12). This option includes construction of a harbor on the river. The bankline within this areais experiencing erosions threatening several villages. Close to 2,000 households will requiretemporary relocation for 6 years, including provision for “self-managed” resettlement and livelihoodsupport - all paid for by BBA. The land acquired will be returned to the owners after project completion.The CY2 in Janjira side is located at d/s of the RTWs at Painpara, Naodoba Mouza in Upazila: Janjira,District: Shariatpur. CY2 is located at about 400m from the Mazirkandi Ferryghat-Shariatpur Roadtowards west. It is mainly agriculture based area and fertile. It is an unstable floodplain and notsubmerged during normal flood. Only during high floods (1988, 1998, and 2004 floods) this area issubmerged at the water depth of about 1m. Almost every year, this area is eroded by the Padma Riverat the rate of about 100m. Many homesteads, water bodies (mainly fish ponds) and homestead trees(mainly mango, coconut, palm, papaya, guava, cotton tree, koroi, shegun, mehegoni as well asbanana and bamboo bushes are located within this area. Tin shed houses and huts are mainlyobserved in this area. About 80% households have hygienic toilets and the rest have non hygienictoilets (open toilets). Most of the households have HTWs for drinking purposes. Drinking water qualityis almost good (arsenic free). Socio-economic status of people in this area is poor due to river erosion.Figure 2-12: Construction yard in Janjira side.2-17