This was revealed at the second meeting of the task force formed by the Shipping Ministry to put forward and implement recommendations to improve the navigability and maintain the natural flow of the country’s major waterways.
It was also informed in the meeting that Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) removed 18,025 illegal establishments, restored 738 acres of land, imposed fines amounting to Tk 68.58 lakh and auctioned products worth Tk 14 crore from the areas adjoining Dhaka and Narayanganj river ports from 2010 up until 24th July, 2019.
From 18-22 December in this year, BIWTA evicted 720 illegal establishments, restored around 16 acres land, imposed fines of Tk 9.22lakh and auctioned products worth Tk 38 lakh.
Besides, the building work of 207 boundary pillars among 3,803 pillars was completed in Dhaka river port area. The construction work of 2,006 pillars in Tongi river port area will be started within a week. Besides, tender has been invited for constructing 2,500 boundary pillars under Narayanganj river port and six heavy jetties under Dhaka and Tongi river ports, according to information from the meeting.
National River Conservation Commission (NRCC) will take necessary steps to reinforce the activities of committees formed in district and upazila level for preventing river pollution and river grabbing. Steps will be taken so that water would not be polluted by industrial waste.
Activities following a High Court order, including identification of source channels through which wastes are dumped in Buriganga river, are also underway.
“I want to work for the people, not as their opponent. We are working for restoring land of rivers and for removing illegal occupation of the river bank and protecting river from pollution. It is easy to start work but hard to finish it. Many things will fail if we fail to protect our rivers. Cooperation from all levels is needed to realize the potential and build a beautiful Bangladesh,” said state minister for Shipping Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury, while briefing reporters after the meeting.