Encroachment on Turag's flood plains

We are deeply concerned about the pathetic plight of the once ebullient River Turag, which has been reduced to a narrow stream over successive years as a result of ruthless land grabbing, extensive filling and construction activities by multiple industries and small businesses. Now, a spinning mill is being built on a flood plain of what little remains of the river, choking a vast stretch of it near Dhour Bridge in Tongi, in violation of environment conversation laws and the capital's master plan.

It is flabbergasting that the authorities allowed the construction to be initiated in the first place, even though the floodplain has been reserved as a conservable area. Our reports suggest that they took no steps beyond conducting a farcical drive with only 10 labourers and no proper equipment to remove earth filling and concrete structure early last year. At the time, they knocked down only 100 square feet of a brick wall of the 9292-square metre mill being built. Why, we ask, was no other action taken since then against the deviant mill owners by Rajuk, the official custodian of the master plan, Bangladesh Inland Water Authority, district administrations and Department of Environment?

The apathy and inaction of concerned authorities over the years has turned Turag into a sad shadow of its former self. It's not just the encroachers who must be held responsible for illegal constructions, but also the authorities, who have consistently failed to do their job of protecting the Turag.