THE Rajshhai City Corporation is going to build a tourist zone expending over Tk 2.5 crore keeping the River Padma in view although experts are saying it will not be viable as the river remains dry during a period of the year.
According to the RCC sources, every day a huge number of people rush to the river bank to get refreshed in the natural beauty of the river.
Considering this, the city corporation is going to make five tourist spots at Kazla Fultola, Pathanpara, Barakuthi, Sreerampur and Padma garden areas for the visitors.
The RCC is already running a Tk 1 crore project to build a tourist spot at Barakuthi.
Of the project, the work worth Tk 80 lakh has already been completed and the city corporation has floated another tender worth Tk 20 lakh to complete the work within one year, the sources said.
Beside this, a modern fun park is going to be built at Pathanpara expending Tk 1 crore and already the tender has been floated, said RCC panel mayor Sariful Islam Babu.
He said after completion of the project the nature enthusiasts would get the opportunity to enjoy beauty of the river.
But experts are apprehending failure of the project as most of the time the river Padma remains dry.
Professor Choudhury Sarwar Jahan Sajal, director of environment science institute of Rajshahi University, told New Age vast chars had emerged in the river and the Padma is going to turn into dry lands.
In this condition, the city corporation is going to invest a huge amount without conducting any study, which will be very risky.
Executive engineer of the Water Development Board Rajshahi Harun-or-Rashid told New Age that before launching the project the RCC should take another project to retain water in the river.
‘If they do not take water retention project, their tourist projects are sure to fail,’ he added.  
When contacted, panel mayor Sariful Islam Babu told New Age that the government would establish a Ganga barrage that will help to retain water in the river.
‘So there is nothing to be worried about the RCC tourist project,’ he added.