Cleaning drive of Barisal Jail khal (canal) started in the city involving the citizens to return normalcy and maintain its navigability and free the canal from the clutches of illegal occupants and grabbers for ensuring smooth plying of river transport. State Minister of ICT Junayed Ahmed Palak inaugurated the drive in a programme in Nathullabad area of the city attended as the chief guest. The programme arranged by Barisal district administration. DC Barisal Gazi Md Syfuzaman presided over the programme while local MP Jebunnesa Afroz addressed here as special guest. The drive will be continued until the canal is cleaned.

DC Barisal said that the three kilometers long canal earlier freed from the land grabbers. About five hundreds people from different sectors attended to cleaning the canal yesterday morning in 30 points of the canal. He said not only Jail Khal but all the 22 canals of the city will be recovered and will be made smooth for plying of river vessel as soon as possible.
Mentioned that Barisal District Administration ended first phase of erecting boundary pillars on the bank of Jail Khal (canal) in the city  to prevent encroachments and grabbing. This work started from three months ago at Kirtonkhola River point and ended at Nathullabad point. At least two hundred encroaches and grabbers crossed the canal boundary and the canal lost its navigability due to filling canal. Barisal district administration sources said more than one hundred illegal structures including 5 multi storied building, hundred shops were constructed on both sides of the canal were evicted under a special drive.