The eviction drive of illegal occupants of the Shyamasundari canal began yesterday for excavation and renovation of the Canal to ensure clean environment of Rangpur city. Led by executive magistrates, the district administration jointly with Rangpur City Corporation (RpCC) has begun the eviction drive of illegal structures from both sides of the canal from Check Post point in the city. Mayor of Rangpur Mostafizar Rahman Mostafa, Deputy Commissioner Md Asib Ahsan, Chief Executive Officer of RpCC Ruhul Amin Mian, Additional DeputyCommissioner (Revenue) Sharif Mohammad Foyezul Alam and Superintending Engineer for Rangpur Crile of Water Development Board Harun-Ar-Rashid were present.

On the occasion, the Deputy Commissioner said the eviction drive will continue under the supervision of executive magistrates and members of the law enforcement agencies. Mayor Mostafa said after eviction of all illegal occupants of the Shyamasundari Canal, its excavation, renovation and beautification activities will be launched to ensure normal flow, which eventually will contribute to build a beautiful Rangpur city.

“The canal will be restored through re-excavation to fulfill the long- cherished demand of maintaining water flow round the year for cleanliness, stop mosquito breeding, establish modern water supply and sewerage systems in the city,” he said. Under the drive, all 170 identified illegal occupants of the canal, including five occupants in Kellabond area, 47 in Radhaballav area, 54 in Alamnagar area, 49 in Raghunathganj area and one in Bhogi area of the city will be evicted.

Earlier, a survey identified 170 illegal occupants alongside 9.80- kilometre length of the 16-kilometre Shyamasundari Canal. The Canal with 23 to 90 feet width, was dug in 1890 to save the city people from deadly mosquitoes and water-borne diseases.