Encroachers filling Rampura canal

Encroachers have been dumping earth on the Rampura canal, the only channel for carrying rain waters and industrial wastes out of the city's mid-eastern part, at night.
More than 40 water pumps are permanently installed at Rampura Bridge point of the canal to drain out rain waters from Rampura, Tejgaon, Banani and Gulshan areas during the rainy season.
The encroachers have already filled up a large stretch of the canal along its north bank namely Aftab Nagar, to expand their housing areas by dumping earths at night.
The Aftab Nagar section of the canal has turned into a narrow stream, which is creating obstacle to normal flow of water from Tejgaon Industrial Area and Hatirjhil.
Apart from spreading bad smell in the area, the stagnation of thick, black and polluted water has made the canal a huge breeding centre of mosquitoes.
Despite losing navigability due to unabated encroachment, engine boats still use the canal in the rainy season to bring fish, vegetables, seasonal fruits and construction materials from distant places for the city dwellers.
But, it would become impossible for the boats and trawlers in the dry season as the canal has lost its depth and width.
The residential areas, including Banosree, along the canal go under water in the rainy season, as the ever-squeezing canal cannot take load of extra water. Frequent waterlogging cause untold sufferings to the people of the areas.
Locals have been urging the authorities concerned to free the canal from the encroachers and dredging it to ensure normal flow of water.