Fifty-nine structures demolished yesterday

Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority yesterday knocked down 59 structures -- including a four-storey building -- at the capital's West Hazaribagh, as part of its ongoing drive to save River Buriganga from encroachment.

BIWTA Joint Director AKM Arif Uddin is leading the drive, that has continuing daily from 9am to 4pm.

Including yesterday's tally, a total of 1,489 structures have so far been bulldozed in the drive, which will continue for four more working days.

Photo: Amran Hossain

One four-storey, one three-storey, eight two-storey and three one-storey buildings were among the demolished structures.

Earlier, BIWTA identified 906 illegal structures on the bank of Buriganga from Sadarghat to Gabtoli. It started the 13-day eviction drive on January 29.

Arif said influential people are behind the encroachment. “We will not bow down to anybody and will demolish every illegal structure, as we are getting support from administration, judiciary and people,” said Arif.

Meanwhile, regarding the drive, State Minister for Shipping Khalid Mahmud yesterday said no one can be more influential than the government.

During a question-answer session in parliament, he also said such eviction drives will continue.

In 2016, a taskforce was formed to save the rivers surrounding Dhaka and Chattogram, he said, adding that they took steps following its recommendations.