The Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) has launched a drive to remove illegal structures on the banks of the Buriganga river at Dhaka’s Kamrangirchar.
The drive began at around 10:00 am Tuesday in Kamrangichar’s Nawabchar area, according to Md Arifur Rahman, the joint director of BIWTA. Five concrete structures and seven tin-shed houses have been razed, said Arifur Rahman.
The eviction work will end at 5:00 pm.
Eviction drives will be carried out in areas under the Dhaka river port until February 19, said BIWTA Public Relations Officer Md Mobarak Hossain.
Around 444 illegal structures, including multi-storey buildings, were demolished in the three-day eviction drive, which began on January 29, Hossain said.
BIWTA had identified 509 illegal structures lining the banks of the Buriganga between Sadarghat and Gabtoli – all of which would be taken down, Md Arifur Rahman said at the time of the three-day drive.
He was quoted by bdnews24.com as saying, "The illegal structures include 56 multi-storey buildings. Our first priority is to remove these multi-storey structures. Permanent measures will be taken to preserve the river banks after the lands are reclaimed.”
“We will construct walkways along the banks of the river to mark its boundaries. Trees will be planted on the reclaimed lands to prevent encroachment in future.”
