Agartala, April 19, 2025: Thousands of residents from over 500 families in Tripura’s Netaji Subhash Chandra Nagar and Ishan Chandra Nagar gram panchayats located on the north bank of the Muhuri River near Belonia town and along Indo-Bangladesh border are facing imminent danger of submersion due to monsoon waters. The situation has escalated as Belonia town itself is also at risk of being submerged.

The root of the crisis lies in the construction of a dam by the Bangladesh government. The dam, stretching approximately one to one-and-a-half kilometers in length and rising to a height of 15 to 20 feet in certain areas, has been built alarmingly close to the Indian border—at distances as short as 50 yards and even less than 10 yards in some sections. This construction blatantly disregards the international border agreement, which mandates that any infrastructure development near the border must be carried out at least 150 yards away from the border pillars.

Local residents have expressed outrage upon discovering that the dam lacks provisions for water drainage, effectively blocking the natural flow of water. “We are witnessing a blatant violation of the border agreement. This dam not only threatens our homes but also disregards the established norms of international cooperation,” said a local resident, highlighting the gravity of the situation.

The tension has further escalated as the monsoon season has already begun, heightening fears of widespread flooding. Villagers have urgently appealed to the South Tripura district administration and the Indian government to intervene and address the issue. “The government must act swiftly to save our area from devastation. We cannot afford to wait any longer,” urged another resident.

Reports indicate that Bangladesh is employing 10 to 12 dredgers daily to expedite the dam’s construction, working tirelessly around the clock. The affected localities have demanded immediate action, calling for either the removal of the dam or the creation of a water drainage system to mitigate the impending disaster.

The focus remains on how quickly authorities can respond to prevent a humanitarian and environmental crisis along the border. The residents of Netaji Subhash Chandra Nagar and Ishan Chandra Nagar anxiously await decisive measures to safeguard their homes and livelihoods.