Syed Shemul Parvez :
The Rupnagar canal in the capital’s Mirpur is almost dying in the clutches of the housing establishment. Water flow on the way is stopped due to illegal installation and dumping of mill waste. For this, the canal has turned into a garbage dump.
The Dhaka North City Corporation, however, plans to evict all illegal installations and build walkways and bicycle lanes along the canal.
Going to the spot, it was seen that there are broken sofas, discarded suitcases, garbage bags and solar pieces in the canal; but there is no flow of water.
Though once upon time boats used to run, big fish was caught, but that canal is now a narrow drain.
Due to lack of enough awareness and surveillance, wastes of houses, businesses and mills are falling into the canal every day.
Attempts to stop the flow of water in some places due to the heap of garbage. As a result, the area was submerged even in light rain.
Besides, the stench and the oppression of mosquitoes is also another big issue.
It was seen on Rupnagar Residential area Road No. 30 that temporary structures have been set up in the place of the canal. Not only low-income people, but also a few well-known real estate companies have taken over the canal.
Local people’s representatives, however, said that the occupiers will be evicted as soon as the army completes the demarcation of the canal.
In this regards, when asked about the demarcation work, Mokbul Hossain Shemu, Public Relation Officer (PRO) of DNCC told the New Nation that the Army forces has started the demarcation work. They have already established about10 pillars in the canal.
Besides, DNCC is also going to evict illegal establishments around the canal as a part of regular drives, PRO added. Residents fear that it will be difficult to sustain the canal without regular occupation, regular monitoring and cleaning.
