Dhaka, May 19 -- The Local Government Engineering Department (LGED) is constructing a jetty at Gorokghata on the Maheshkhali Channel in Cox's Bazar, defying objections from the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA).

In the process, the agency has felled several thousands of mangrove trees from the coastal forest.

The jetty is being built at the estuary and on the shoal land of the Maheshkhali Channel, one of the most crucial waterways in southern Chattogram.

Concerns have arisen that the structure could cause siltation and ultimately lead to the channel's degradation.

During a visit to Cox's Bazar on Apr 24, Shipping and Labour Advisor M Sakhawat Hussain said the construction was carried out without BIWTA's approval and ...