Water Resources Minister and BNP Joint Secretary General Shahid Uddin Chowdhury Annie said that permanent measures will be taken to prevent severe erosion of the Meghna River in the coastal upazilas of Subarnachar and Hatia. To fulfill the long-standing expectations of the local people, the government has plans to start work on a permanent project to prevent erosion from the next fiscal year. He said these words while visiting Mohammadpur Union, which is severely eroded by the Meghna River in Subarnachar, Noakhali on Sunday afternoon. The minister said, “People’s homes, markets and educational institutions are disappearing into the river before our eyes. Our main responsibility is to stand by the people and protect their lives and property. We have come to inspect the area out of that sense of responsibility. We have already undertaken urgent work to prevent erosion in view of the monsoon season.” Apart from this, instructions have been given to start urgent work at two or three more points quickly. ‘Regarding the long-term plan to prevent river erosion, Water Resources Minister Shahid Uddin Chowdhury Annie said, ‘On the other side of the river, we are paying special attention to the river erosion areas of the entire Hatia region including Urirchar, Swarnadwip, Bhasan Char. Work is underway there. However, the people of this region of Subarnachar have long demanded a permanent dam. Where it is needed most at the moment, we will arrange sustainable work.’ Referring to the success of the three months of the government’s term, the minister said, ‘We were elected on February 12. We took charge on February 17. Since then, work has started in full swing. In these three months, we have been working tirelessly in the interest of the people, by the side of the people, on how to ensure development and public safety in every sector.’Also present at the time were Noakhali-4 constituency MP Mohammad Shahjahan, Noakhali Deputy Commissioner Shafiqul Islam, Superintendent of Police ATM Mosharraf Hossain, District BNP Convener Mahbub Alamgir, Member Secretary and District Council Administrator Harun Or Rashid Azad, among others.