Some local influential people are running at least 10 illegal landing stations just beside two rail bridges and a highway bridge over the Meghna at Ashuganj in the district while a syndicate of illegal sand traders have set pipelines by cutting roads in the area.

The act poses serious threat to the three important state-owned structures -- President Zillur Rahman Railway Bridge, Shaheed Habildar Abdul Halim Railway Bridge and Syed Nazrul Islam Highway Bridge, but the authorities concerned, managed with ‘monthly benefits’, are yet to take any noticeable steps, alleged locals.

Photo: Masuk Hridoy

“Some ruling party leaders have built seven bamboo structures as landing stations beside the pillars of the bridges. Handsome amounts of money is daily exchanged for loading and unloading of barges and trawlers at the illegal stations,” said an official of Ashuganj port, on condition of anonymity.

Photo: Masuk Hridoy

“Upazila parishad Chairman Hanif Munshi, also joint convener of Ashuganj upazila Awami League, runs four of the stations, also occupying lands of river protection embankment.

“Anchoring and movement of goods-laden boats beside pillars of the three bridges pose threat of serious damage anytime,” the official said.

Visiting the area on Saturday and Sunday, this correspondent found seven bamboo-made structures built adjacent to the three bridges for using as landing stations while thick iron pipes have been set by cutting river protection embankment and roads for supplying sand to different villages.  

Only a little away, three other landing stations have been built.

“Thick pipes for carrying sand, set up after cutting different roads including Station Road and Bazar Road, can be seen in over a three-kilometre stretch of area in the upazila,” said Nur Ali, an inhabitant of Alamnagar village.

Such pipes have also been taken by cutting the road in front of the office of the upazila nirbahi officer (UNO).

Contacted, Hanif Munshi claimed that he is not involved with any unauthorised landing stations or illegal sand business although some of his relatives are engaged in the trade.

Asked what action he has taken as the upazila parishad chairman, he said it is the responsibility of the administration.

Ibrahim Mollah, president of Ashuganj Ferryghat Paribahan Thikadar Samity, said Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) is in charge of monitoring the river area but they are remaining silent about the illegal landing stations, which are some 50 metres from the local BIWTA office.

Rumel Munshi, general secretary of the association, said the upazila administration and BIWTA know very well who the illegal occupiers are and so, they are expected to take action in this regard.

Md Asaduzzaman, assistant director of BIWTA, refuted the allegation of taking any ‘monthly benefits’ from anyone and said, “We have collected names of some illegal station builders and a general diary has been filed with Ashuganj Police Station. Case will also be filed soon against the perpetrators.”

Contacted, Ashuganj UNO Nazimul Haider said, “I am not aware about the matter. I will conduct an inquiry and take action if there is any illegal occupation.”