Khulna (South) Correspondent :
Like other parts of the country, rivers of Khulna are still being polluted and grabbed by illegal influential grabbers without any hesitation.
Three main rivers of Khulna have still been occupied by the influential encroachers, even policemen have also occupied, posing threat to the City Protection Embankment. The three main Rivers of Khulna are Bhairab, Rupsha and Moyur .
Some influential men have built several establishments including concrete structures, occupying both sides of the rivers from Rupsha bridge to Shiromoni area. They have built business -centers, factories and Jute godowns beside the rivers. Hanging latrines of these factories and business centers have been posing threat to the rivers, as the garbage are mixed with the river water. As a result water of the two rivers would be unusable within a few days, experts think.
The river Moyur have already been polluted and grabbed , said a citizen leader of Khulna.
Journalist Md. Mizanur Rahman Million , Journalist Ashikur Rahman , traders Akram, Shafiq and Rajesh of Khulna Barobazar and Daulatpur bazar told this correspondent that some dishonest traders have been conducting their brick and sand business occupying the rivers at Khulna Jailkhana ghat, Delta ghat, Digholia, , Shiromoni and Phultala ghat areas.
By grabbing three main rivers- Bhairab, Rupsha and Moyur , some influential people have built structures, houses shops and other organizations.
Experts think that eviction of illegal river grabbers is urgent with a view to protect the city protect the city protection embankment.
Sources of WDB said, due to illegal occupation of the rivers by some traders and factory owners, city protection embankment is not now in right position, as such steps should be taken as soon as possible against the grabbers , he added .
On condition of anonymity, a city dweller said, due to unknown and mysterious reason, Khulna City corporation, WDB, Khulna district administration and police administration (Both KMP and Khulna district police authorities) have been playing a role of silent spectators since long regarding the eviction of the illegal river encrochers .
5 No. Ward Councillor of KCC Sheikh Mohammad Ali said, Rivers are our gifts given by Almighty Allah , many people earn their livlihood using rivers and as such we should not throw wastes in the rivers. My concerned staffs will be alert in respect of exhausting wastes , he added.
Md. Abdul Aziz , Executive Engineer ( Mechanical ) and also the Chief Waste Management Officer of Khulna City Corporation ( KCC ) said., KCC has been working relentlessly regarding the exhaustion of wastes. He said adding that decision would be taken in this regard after talking to the Conservancy department of KCC and concerned Councillors.
