350 structures torn down from Ctg hills

A joint drive conducted by seven authority bodies yesterday knocked down 350 illegal structures in Chattogram.

The drive, led by Chattogram district administration, was launched amid increasing number of illegal occupants along the link road connecting port city's Baizid area to Dhaka-Chattogram highway.

Department of Environment (DoE), police, fire service, Chattogram Wasa, Power Development Board and Chattogram City Corporation took part in the drive, that began at three spots simultaneously: Asian Women University's proposed campus, Sitakunda upazila and Link Road.

DoE Director (Chattogram) Moazzom Hossain told The Daily Star that they had noticed increasing number of illegal occupants along the road.

Taking advantage of the pandemic, a group razed many hills at Arefin Nagar, Jangol Salimpur and Jangal Latifpur areas recently, prompting joint action to free the hills from encroachments, he said.

DoE Deputy Director (Metro) Mia Mahmudul Haque told this newspaper that the drive began at 10am, and sevel hundred labourers demolished the structures, which were built after razing hills.