18 structures on Shitalakkhya demolished
Narayanganj district administration along with Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority knocked down illegal portions of 18 structures on the Shitalakkhya during an eviction drive yesterday.
The district administration, however, gave 10 top business groups three months time to remove their concrete jetties on the river at their own cost and find alternatives.
The joint drive resumed after around four months as the Supreme Court dismissed an appeal that stopped the drive in February.
Seven companies, City Group of Industries, Heidelberg Cement Bangladesh Ltd, Kamal Vegetable, Akij Cement, ACI Cement, Cemex Cement and Molla Salt Industries, that filed the appeal seeking stay on the notice for eviction of jetties, were among the 10 that got additional time from the district administration.
They in the appeal challenged a High Court order that directed the government to remove all structures within the areas of four rivers-- Shitalakkhya, Balu, Turag and Buriganga.
The authorities had notified 320 illegal structures including jetties, warehouse, walls and extended parts of residential and industrial buildings for demolition.
Of them, 54 obtained BIWTA licence to build jetties and other structures in the river area, said BIWTA officials.
The authorities yesterday started demolition of illegal portions of listed concrete and semi-concrete structures on both sides of Syedpur Bridge (Kadamtoli in Laxma mouja) in Narayanganj, said Alamgir Kabir, deputy director of Narayanganj River Port.
The BIWTA engaged around 200 workers, including 160 hired, two tugs--Augrani and Augrajatra--and two workboats, said Alamgir.
"But we could not move the tugs to the demolition site due to low height of Syedpur Bridge," said Alamgir Kabir, "It would have expedited the job if we could use the tugs."
Executive Magistrate Shova Shahnaz of Narayanganj led the drive while additional deputy commissioner (revenue) Syed Mehedi Hasan took care of the overall coordination.
Our Narayanganj correspondent adds that the eviction team also removed bamboo enclosure allegedly put up by a former chairman of Gognagar union parishad. The team knocked down the guide wall of Sharmin Jute Balers and extension of a mosque close to Syedpur Bridge. The authorities gave the mosque authorities one month to remove the entire structure.
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