Save river embankments in city edge from land grabbers

THE New Nation reported on Thursday that powerful land grabbers have occupied the embankment of Buriganga River from Hazaribagh to Babubazar in the Southwestern edge of the city raising new structures and narrowing roads for movement of pedestrians and vehicles. It is true that concerned government agencies conduct eviction drives time to time, but grabbers put in place new structures again with the help of muggers under the shelter of local political leaders. We are appalled by the fact that these people are repeatedly occupying public land and holding the occupation on the nose of the law enforcers who are mysteriously accepting such illegal acts. There is no secret that they are misusing power and allowing breach of law.

The High Court in 2009 directed the government to take appropriate steps to stop encroachment, earth-filling and construction of illegal structures on the embankments of Buriganga River and three other rivers around Dhaka City. But land grabbing has not stopped in absence of proper enforcement of law and punishment of the offenders.
 
The Dhaka South City Corporation has vowed to evict the pathways from illegal land grabbers but pressure from local political goons is reportedly mounting to suspend the plan. The embankment on the bank of River Buriganga from Hazaribagh to Gabtoli was built in the 1990s to protect the capital from river erosion. But it is in big danger now. In 2002, Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB) built a road on the embankment and later in 2008 it was handed over to the Roads and Highways Department. But encroachers have built houses, even hospitals and CNG stations in the area using public land.

They built saw-mills, brick kilns, business establishments and auto-mobile workshops. The riverside road works as easy connection with other local roads but illegal occupants have made the road unusable for commuters and walkers. At least 20 feet free space was supposed to be left on both sides of the embankment. But influential people with support from powerful local leaders and corrupt officials allowed massive land grabbing even occupying water bodies. It is a surprise how a powerful business house has set up a modern hospital occupying land in the riverbank blocking the water flow

The BIWTA, which is the concerned agency of the government to protect rivers had demolished during the past interim government over 3,200 illegal structures along the embankment of Buriganga and 800 others on the bank of Shitalakkhya. The interim government also reclaimed four city canals but structures returned again and canals not traceable.
 
In our view as land is precious in and around the city and only effective enforcement of law can save public properties. It must be enforced at any cost without being swayed by influence of vested interest quarters.