CHATTOGRAM: The Karnaphuli, the lifeline for the national economy as the prime seaport of Chattogram is situated on the river, is getting narrower day by day due to land-grab and siltation.
The river has so far lost an estimated 500 metres of land due to mindless encroachments.
In early 2019, the High Court issued directives to the Chittagong Port Authority (CPA) to demolish all 2,181 illegal establishments on the riverbanks in three months.
But the district administration is yet to tear down the structures.
After a long legal battle, sources said, the administration conducted a demolition drive on 04-09 February 2019. Then it has remained stopped for years.
Meanwhile, Chattogram Nadi and Khal Rakkha Andolon (CNKRA), a social movement to save rivers and canals, conducted a survey on the Karnaphuli recently.
The CNKRA report says the Karnaphuli is getting narrow at many points for the grab of river land as well as rampant siltation and pollution.
According to the ADB master plan and BS survey, it adds, the Karnaphuli was 886.16 metres wide when the first bridge was built during the Ershad regime.
But the same river is only 410 metres wide under the bridge now, the report says.
A total of 476 metres of land are now silted which are occupied by land grabbers.
On the other hand, according to the ADB master plan and BS survey, the Karnaphuli was 898 metres wide in Rajakhali area. But it is now only 461 metres wide.
Besides, the Karnaphuli was 904 metres wide in Firingibazar area, which is now only 750 metres.
According to the CNKRA survey, the Karnaphuli lost its actual width at many points now. Besides, 158.45 acres of land of Karnaphuli are illegally occupied.
Of the acreage, illegal occupiers of 50.64 acres moved to court against their eviction.
The total value of illegally occupied 158.45 acres of the Karnaphuli is around Tk 2,370 crore.
The report further says that there are a total of 2,187 illegal establishments on the banks of Karnaphuli.
Besides, ADB and the CPA submitted a plan named 'Strategic Master Plan for Chittagong Port' in 2014 last.
As per the plan, the actual size of the Karnaphuli should be kept for its navigation. But the authorities are yet to execute the plan, said sources.
Bangladesh Environment Forum and CNKRA general secretary Aliur Rahman said, "It's unfortunate that the drive is suspended for an unknown reason. We demand that the drive be started soon to save the Karnaphuli."
Environment activist Prof Dr Idris Ali said, "The authorities declared that they would demolish all 2,181 illegal establishments on the Karnaphuli banks. But they are yet to demolish…"
