Councillors to lose membership if found involved in canal encroachment: DNCC mayor

Dhaka North City Corporation Mayor Md Atiqul Islam today warned that councillors may lose memberships if allegations of canal encroachment are proved against them.

The mayor was speaking at the inauguration of the Khidirkhal canal re-excavation at sluice gate point at Uttara sector 11. An influential person blocked the canal illegally for many days, he said.

"If it is proved by any investigation against any councillor that the councillor grabbed the land of canal, then definitely his councillorship will be cancelled. Even if they get evidence of his/her involvement with the grabbing, they will also lose his councillorship," said the DNCC mayor.

During a visit on March 16 the mayor found that although there was water on both sides of the sluice gate at Uttara sector 11, there was not any connectivity between the two sides due to an illegal structure that was constructed blocking its connectivity, Atiqul said.

"I have broken the structure with the help of local lawmaker, councillor, Awami League leaders and local people," he said.

Referring to Rajuk and other government agencies, the mayor said their mentality will have to change; they should not only allot plots but they will also have to keep space for dumping yards.

"Check the CS, RS records, and city survey maps before allotting any plot on canals. If you allot plot without any verification, people will suffer because of it. You have to visit the location first before its allotment," the DNCC mayor told officials.

Showing a bottleneck road to the people who were present during his visit, the mayor said, "See how the road became narrow due to encroachment. I am really surprised how they blocked the canal."

Atiqul said he already directed his chief estate officer and local councillor to identify the width of the canal.

If necessary, they will have to break the wall of an adjoining hospital and they have already gotten consent from the director of the hospital about it, said the mayor.

DNCC CEO Md Selim Reza, Chief Estate Officer Md Mozammel Haque, Ward-51 councillor Mohammad Sharifur Rahman, reserved seat Councillor Jakia Sultana were present during the programme, among others.