Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) Mayor Atiqul Islam today said no one is more powerful than the people, so encroachers of canals will be defeated even if they are powerful.

The mayor made the remark while visiting different DNCC wards in Uttarkhan area of the capital.

Mayor Atiqul also said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has approved a Tk 4.25 thousand crore project for the development of 18 new wards in DNCC areas where all the narrow roads will be widened.

DNCC will also recover 13 canals from encroachers which are under the project with a view to solving waterlogging problems in the areas, he said.

"We will recover the canals keeping the people with us, and if they stand by the city corporation, the canals will definitely be recovered," he said.

To expand roads, many structures will have to be demolished, and the authorities will do it by following the map of DNCC no matter whose structures it is, the mayor said.

He called upon the people to cooperate with DNCC to recover the canals from encroachers.

Mentioning holding tax in extended areas under DNCC, the mayor said they have fixed the rate of holding tax but they will not apply it now, adding that they will start taking it after completing the development works.

He, however, said they will start taking holding tax from commercial plots and factories.

"It will not be acceptable that you will do business but will not pay tax to the city corporation," he said.

DNCC will also build playgrounds, parks, community centres and markets on khas lands, Mayor Atiqul added.