‘How can a waterbody be allotted to build 5-star hotel, shopping complex?’

Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) Mayor Md Atiqul Islam today asked the Director General of Bangladesh Railways how they allotted a waterbody to build a five-star hotel and a shopping complex, violating the prime minister's directives.

Atiqul posed the question to Railways DG Dhirendra Nath Mazumder over the phone while conducting a drive to recover a water body at Kuril Bishwa Road.

"It is very unfortunate that even after direction from the PM, this waterbody was allotted," a DNCC official told The Daily Star quoting the mayor.

"Check it and cancel the allotment. We are demolishing the structures," he was quoted as saying to the DG.

The DNCC then demolished a huge signboard of Millennium Holdings Limited stating that they set it up without any permission.

The mayor during the drive said the waterbody at the Kuril Bishwa Road is playing a vital role to save the residents of Nikunja from waterlogging for a long time.

Rainwater receding capacity of Nikunja and the Dhaka Airport Road areas will be destroyed during the rainy season if the waterbody is filled, said Atique.

Responding to a question, the DNCC mayor said, "Bangladesh Railway allotted the land without visiting the location of the water body physically."

"We will protect the 1.84 acre waterbody by taking legal steps," he said.

The mayor also spoke with Railways Minister Nurul Islam Sujan over the phone regarding the matter.