Why Gabkhan Channel should not be restored
The High Court yesterday issued a rule asking the authorities concerned of the government to explain why they should not be directed to restore Gabkhan Channel in Jhalakathi to its original condition.
The shipping secretary, deputy commissioner and superintendent of police of Jhalakathi and joint director (port) of Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority, Barisal Port have been made respondents to the rule.
The bench of Justice Md Nazrul Islam Talukder and Justice KM Hafizul Alam issued the rule following a writ petition filed by Supreme Court lawyer Barrister Kazi Mynul Hassan on September 9.
He submitted the petition following a report titled “Gabkhan Channel: Narrowed by illegal dock” published in The Daily Star. The report said a part of the century-old channel has been turned into a temporary dock for loading and unloading construction materials for a nearby highway.
As a result, the 18km canal, the country's only man-made naval route, has become narrow at the point, disrupting vessel movement.
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