The Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) yesterday (Tuesday) demolished around 200 structures that had been illegally built by encroachers who had grabbed the Buriganga riverbank. This was the fourth day that the BIWTA conducted the drive, this time at Nababerchar in the capital’s Kamrangirchar area, as part of its 11-day programme to free the river banks. The drive resumed yesterday in the second phase, after a four-dayhiatus.

The BIWTA eviction team, led by its executive magistrate Mostafizur Rahman, demolished at least 200 illegal structures, including a four-storey residential building, four three-storey residential buildings, two-storey buildings, six one-storey buildings, seven tin-shed houses, 30 sawmills and 10 plastic, biscuit and cement godowns. Besides, many houses made of bamboo were also demolished, the BIWTA deputy director (Sadarghat river port), Mizanur Rahman, told The Independent yesterday (Tuesday).

Rahman said, “We have primarily identified and prepared a list of 609 structures built illegally after grabbing the riverbank from Sadarghat to Gabtali. All the illegal structures and

establishments will be demolished in phases till February 19.”

A total of 444 illegal structures, including multi-storey residential buildings, had been demolished between January 29 and 31 during the first phase of the eviction drive, he added.

“Though we had decided to primarily demolish 609 illegal structures, in reality the number is more than the list we have prepared. Hence, our eviction drive might be extended. More illegal structures will be demolished after a new list is prepared,” he said in reply to a query.

Rahman further said, “The illegal structures that are being demolished now are the priority ones. The rest will be demolished soon.”

“This time the BIWTA will permanently preserve the reclaimed riverbanks by constructing walkways, parks and railings. Besides, concrete slabs will be placed alongside riverbanks so that dishonest people are not able to grab the riverbanks any further,” he added. The BIWTA will also plant trees and set up flower gardens alongside the riverbanks.

The eviction drive is a continuous process, Rahman added.

The drive will be conducted from Keraniganj, Sadarghat, Kholamora, Basila, Kamrangirchar and up to Gabtoli, he said, adding that the drive could be expanded, depending on the illegal structures.

BIWTA sources said some 10,000 illegal structures have been demolished so far in the last few years on the river banks.