The Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) has evicted 28,325 illegal structures from the banks of five major rivers since 2010 and recovered 1,244.22 acres of riverbank land, Shipping Minister Shaikh Rabiul Alam told Parliament today (7 September).
“BIWTA has evicted 28,325 illegal structures from the riverbanks of the Buriganga, Shitalakkhya, Balu, Dhaleshwari and Turag rivers since 2010 and recovered 1,244.22 acres of riverbank land through the eviction drives,” he said in reply to a scripted question from treasury bench lawmaker Rafiqul Islam Hilali (Netrokona-3) in the House.
With Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed, Bir Bikram, in the chair, Rabiul Alam said the government has continued eviction operations to prevent encroachment and pollution of rivers and ensure safe and uninterrupted movement of vessels.
He said BIWTA has undertaken various programmes to develop government-gazetted river ports, expand physical facilities, improve passenger services, ensure vessel safety and remove illegal structures from riverbanks and areas adjacent to river ports.
“Such eviction operations are continuing,” the minister continued.
Rabiul said the ongoing measures include mobile court operations, demarcation of river boundaries and installation of boundary pillars, eviction drives, construction of walkways, afforestation and construction of eco-parks.
“The measures aim to protect riverbanks from illegal occupation while improving the navigability, safety and service facilities of the country’s inland waterways,” he added.
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