Freeing Louhajang River: 50 more illegal structures torn down

As part of the ongoing eviction drive to free the Louhajang river from encroachment, 50 more illegal structures, including 10 multi-storey ones, were demolished in Beradomam and Pashchim Akur Takur Para area in Tangail town yesterday.

The day before, about the same number of illegal structures were demolished in Stadium and Paradise Para areas.

On both days, owners of several of the buildings were also seen dismantling the structures on their own. 

In Stadium area, a joint team of workers engaged by the District Administration and Water Development Board (WDB) took part in knocking down a number of illegal structures including a seven-story building.

Jamsher Ali, owner of the building, however, claimed that he followed all applicable laws and rules while constructing the building that cost him Tk 4 crores.

He further claimed that he has all legal documents and the design approved by the municipal authorities.

Despite all the facts, the authorities labelled him as an illegal occupier of the river's land through a new demarcation of its land, he added.

Sirajul Islam, executive engineer of WDB in Tangail, said after preparing a list of encroachers in 76 kilometres of the river area, they were conducting the evection drive on a three-kilometre stretch of the river under the municipality in the first phase of the drives.

The process will continue and the entire river will be freed from the illegal occupiers eventually, he added.

Tangail Deputy Commissioner Shahidul Islam said the river will be freed from pollution after freeing it from the encroachers.

After it is freed from encroachment and pollution, as a means to provide a source of refreshment to the townspeople, concrete walkways will be constructed along both banks of the river, he added.