Boundary pillars erected on Jail Canal

Drive on to demolish encroachments & illegal structures in Barisal

The Barisal district administration has ended the first phase of the erection of boundary pillars on the banks of the Jail Khal, a canal in the city, to prevent encroachment and land-grabbing. This eight-kilometre-long canal would now be 35 to 40 feet wide at different points.
Work started three months ago at the Kirtonkhola river point and ended at the Nathullabad point, said Nurul Islam, one of the surveyors involved in the operation.
At least 200 encroachers and land-grabbers had crossed the canal boundary and, as a result, the canal had lost its navigability from piles of garbage and mud, he explained.
Sources in the Barisal district administration said more than 100 illegal structures, including five multi-storied buildings and close to 100 shops, were constructed on both sides of the canal. These were demolished and their occupants evicted during a special drive organised in April and May.
The eviction operations were led by Sadar upazila nirbahi officer (UNO) and assistant commissioner (in charge of land), Md. Abdur Rouf Mia.  The operations would continue till the canal’s sides are freed of the land-grabbers, Mia said.
After boundary pillars are erected on the canal, all other illegal structures would be demolished, he added. The evicted and affected people have been given enough time to seek alternative residences, but they have failed to remove the illegal structures, Barisal deputy commissioner (DC) Dr Gazi Saifuzzaman disclosed.
“We will organise a Jail Canal cleaning drive on September 3 this year to involve citizens to participate and maintain its navigability. They will help us free the canal from the clutches of illegal occupants and land-grabbers,” he added.
At least 235 land-grabbers have been issued notices for encroaching Jail Khal.
After all of them are evicted, trees would be planted and walkways would be constructed on both sides of the canal, said Nazrul Islam, director of the Department of Environment (Barisal division).

Boundary pillars erected on Jail Canal

Drive on to demolish encroachments & illegal structures in Barisal

The Barisal district administration has ended the first phase of the erection of boundary pillars on the banks of the Jail Khal, a canal in the city, to prevent encroachment and land-grabbing. This eight-kilometre-long canal would now be 35 to 40 feet wide at different points. Work started three months ago at the Kirtonkhola river point and ended at the Nathullabad point, said Nurul Islam, one of the surveyors involved in the operation. At least 200 encroachers and land-grabbers had crossed the canal boundary and, as a result, the canal had lost its navigability from piles of garbage and mud, he explained. Sources in the Barisal district administration said more than 100 illegal structures, including five multi-storied buildings and close to 100 shops, were constructed on both sides of the canal. These were demolished and their occupants evicted during a special drive organised in April and May. The eviction operations were led by Sadar upazila nirbahi officer (UNO) and assistant commissioner (in charge of land), Md. Abdur Rouf Mia. The operations would continue till the canals sides are freed of the land-grabbers, Mia said. After boundary pillars are erected on the canal, all other illegal structures would be demolished, he added. The evicted and affected people have been given enough time to seek alternative residences, but they have failed to remove the illegal structures, Barisal deputy commissioner (DC) Dr Gazi Saifuzzaman disclosed. We will organise a Jail Canal cleaning drive on September 3 this year to involve citizens to participate and maintain its navigability. They will help us free the canal from the clutches of illegal occupants and land-grabbers, he added. At least 235 land-grabbers have been issued notices for encroaching Jail Khal. After all of them are evicted, trees would be planted and walkways would be constructed on both sides of the canal, said Nazrul Islam, director of the Department of Environment (Barisal division).