Illegal occupiers of nearly five and a half kilometres area stretching from Karnaphuli estuary (Chaktai Chamra Gudam Bridge) to Bahaddar Hat would be thrown out in the drive.

On the first day, at least 15 illegal structures, mostly semi-pucca shops, were bulldozed while some encroachers removed their structures themselves.

Metropolitan Magistrate Habibur Rahman and CDA Magistrate Tahera Ferdous led the drive backed by the Chittagong Metropolitan Police (CMP). Acting CCC Mayor M Manjur Alam, CDA Chairman Shah Mohammed Akhtaruddin and high officials from both the organisations visited the area.

Around 1,200 to 1,500 structures have been erected on both sides of the canal occupying about 15 to 20 feet land. As a result, sewerage system was obstructed leading to serious waterlogging problems in the port city, sources said.

Sources said that although the illegal occupiers were notified earlier to vacate the land, they did not pay heed to it. The authorities also marked the illegal structures in March this year, sources said.

"We repeatedly served notices on the encroachers, but they didn't remove their structures, which forced us to conduct the drive," Acting Mayor Manjur told the reporters while visiting the area. "The drive will go on till all illegal occupiers are removed from both sides of the canal," he added.

CDA Chairman Akhtaruddin observed that the thin canal is one of the main causes of waterlogging in the city. He also said that new roads would be built by the canal sides so that the area cannot be occupied by the encroachers again.

Renovation work of 39 canals in Chittagong would be implemented at a cost of Tk 1,000 crore financed by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), he said.

As part of the project, scientific measures including setting up of tidal regulator at the main point of the canals will be taken to save the city from waterlogging, he added.

The joint eviction drive was launched as per the decision of the coordination meeting held at Chittagong Circuit House on Sunday evening. Communication Adviser MA Matin, representatives from local administration and other authorities concerned were present in the meeting.