Eviction drive launched to free Khulna canals
Khulna district administration and Khulna City Corporation yesterday launched an eviction drive to free 26 encroached canals in the city.
KCC Mayor Talukder Abdul Khaleque and Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Helal Hossain visited the spots and gave necessary directives to free the waterbodies.
The drive started around 11am from Burodarga area of Mayur Nadi. Many concrete structures built encroaching upon the waterbody were demolished at the time.
Khulna district administration, KCC, Water Development Board (WDB), Local Government Engineering Department (LGED), Khulna Metropolitan Police (KMP) and the settlement department are jointly implementing the drive.
Based on instruction of the High Court and National River Protection Commission, the district administration has prepared a list of around 460 grabbers. Also, over 382 structures were identified.
Six sub-technical committees were formed, consisting four assistant commissioners (land), in this regard. The committee, from February 4 to May 30, prepared the lists. They started the long-awaited eviction drive to demolish over 2,636 structures built illegally on the banks of Mayur, Bhairab and Rupsha rivers and 26 canals as well as identified 1,614 grabbers.
DC Helal Hossain said the drive will continue for three months. “We are determined to free all the waterbodies,” he added.
Known as the largest freshwater reservoir of KCC, Mayur Nadi used to flow from Daulatpur to Alutola. Now, the 12-km waterbody has not only been occupied in many parts but also lies neglected with rotten aquatic plants and waste.
Last Wednesday, following a meeting with the KCC mayor, the district administration set September 1 to start the drive. The authorities also campaigned in the areas and sent notices to encroachers.
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