Drive begins to revive 130yr-old Rangpur canal
Eviction of illegal encroachment on both sides of Shyamsundari canal, a major waterbody of the city, finally began yesterday, to revive its water flow.
The canal is nearly dead because of encroachment, and water flow has become stagnant due to clogging at various points.
The drive started around 10am from Dhap area of the city.
On Tuesday afternoon at a press conference in the city, Md Mostafizar Rahman Mostafa, mayor of Rangpur City Corporation (RCC), announced the eviction drive.
Mayor Mostafa said RCC so far identified 170 people who illegally built structures encroaching on the historic canal. They had already been notified to remove the establishments on their own.
Most of the structures remained as it was, said the mayor. Shyamsundari canal was dug in 1890.
After inaugurating the eviction drive, the mayor said letters had been issued to encroachers to remove the structures, but the request went in vain.
"That's why we are starting the drive," he said.
He said that its all citizens' responsibility to save the 130-year-old canal at any cost, to present a beautiful city to the coming generation. Sanitation will improve if water flow of the canal is revived, said the mayor.
This canal will be helpful to save Rangpur city from flood, he said.
Asib Ahsan, deputy commissioner of Rangpur said by the end of the drive, around 10km-long area of the canal between Mahiganj-Patbari will be excavated. A survey has already conducted with the help of divisional administration, district administration, RCC, Water Development Board and Rangpur Cantonment.
Every structure will be either demolished or removed, said the DC.
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