2nd phase of BIWTA eviction drive complete

1,199 illegal structures demolished

As part of its 11-day drive, the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) has pulled down a total of 1,199 illegal structures on the banks of the Buriganga river. The eviction drive was conducted yesterday in Kamalbagh, Loharpul and Chata Masjid areas of the capital. As many as 290 structures built illegally on the river banks were flattened yesterday. Of them, there were three two-storey residential buildings, seven one-storey residential buildings, 23-semi-pucca houses and 257 bamboo-made houses, AKM Arif Uddin, joint director of the BIWTA (in-charge Dhaka river port), told The Independent. “We’ve completed the second phase of the operation today. The third phase will begin from February 12. We’ve pulled down 1,199 illegal structures during our drives,” he said.

According to Arif Uddin, a total of 107 residential buildings, 121 semi-pucca houses, 80 saw mills, eight factories and 883 bamboo-made and tin-shade houses built illegally on the river banks have been razed to the ground. The executive magistrate has also imposed fines worth Tk. 1.15 lakh on various persons for encroachment and grabbing the river banks unlawfully, he said.

“The third phase of the eviction drive will start from February 12 and continue till February 14. Our 11-day operation will end on February 19,” he also said.

The BITWA will construct walkways, gardens, parks and iron railings on the reclaimed riverbanks to prevent further encroachment, he added.

The BIWTA began its operation from January 29 and evicted a total of 444 illegal structures between January 29 and 31. Later, it started the second phase after four days’ interval from February 5. A total of 211 illegal structures were demolished on February 5 and 252 structures were knocked down on February 6.

The areas where the drive was conducted are Keraniganj, Sadarghat, Kholamora, Basila, Kamrangirchar and up to Gabtoli, Arif Uddin said, adding that the drive could be expanded on the basis of the number of illegal settlements. According to BIWTA sources, around 10,000 illegal structures built on the river banks have so far been demolished over the last few years.

 

2nd phase of BIWTA eviction drive complete

1,199 illegal structures demolished

As part of its 11-day drive, the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) has pulled down a total of 1,199 illegal structures on the banks of the Buriganga river. The eviction drive was conducted yesterday in Kamalbagh, Loharpul and Chata Masjid areas of the capital. As many as 290 structures built illegally on the river banks were flattened yesterday. Of them, there were three two-storey residential buildings, seven one-storey residential buildings, 23-semi-pucca houses and 257 bamboo-made houses, AKM Arif Uddin, joint director of the BIWTA (in-charge Dhaka river port), told The Independent. Weve completed the second phase of the operation today. The third phase will begin from February 12. Weve pulled down 1,199 illegal structures during our drives, he said. According to Arif Uddin, a total of 107 residential buildings, 121 semi-pucca houses, 80 saw mills, eight factories and 883 bamboo-made and tin-shade houses built illegally on the river banks have been razed to the ground. The executive magistrate has also imposed fines worth Tk. 1.15 lakh on various persons for encroachment and grabbing the river banks unlawfully, he said. The third phase of the eviction drive will start from February 12 and continue till February 14. Our 11-day operation will end on February 19, he also said. The BITWA will construct walkways, gardens, parks and iron railings on the reclaimed riverbanks to prevent further encroachment, he added. The BIWTA began its operation from January 29 and evicted a total of 444 illegal structures between January 29 and 31. Later, it started the second phase after four days interval from February 5. A total of 211 illegal structures were demolished on February 5 and 252 structures were knocked down on February 6. The areas where the drive was conducted are Keraniganj, Sadarghat, Kholamora, Basila, Kamrangirchar and up to Gabtoli, Arif Uddin said, adding that the drive could be expanded on the basis of the number of illegal settlements. According to BIWTA sources, around 10,000 illegal structures built on the river banks have so far been demolished over the last few years.