Freeing River Turag from Grabbers
BIWTA knocks down illegal structures
Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authorities (BIWATA) yesterday knocked down 23 tin-made makeshift structures and seized two sand-unloading dredgers, 100 cubic metres of unloading pipes and 10 piles of sand from the bank of the Turag river.
In a bid to make the river free from grabbers, BIWTA carried out the drive in 15-kilometre area of the river from Sinnirtek to Ashulia.
During the drive, BIWTA knocked down “Monpura”, a floating restaurant, and 16 other tin-made establishments raised above the river in Diabari area. They also destroyed six tin-made structures in NababBari area.
BIWTA handed over the two dredgers and 100 cubic metres of pipes to Shah Ali Police Station.
The piles of sand, recovered from Sinnirtek to Diabari area, will be given to Rupganj and Shah Ali police stations for auctions.
Sand traders have grabbed almost 20 to 25 feet inside the river and filled it up with sand making a permanent place for sand loading and unloading for their business.
The sand-unloading pipes were crisscrossing the Turag blocking any sort of river transports from plying the river.
Armed with tug boat Agropathik and workboat Argoose and 60 workers, Md Shafiqul Haque, director (port) of BIWTA, and Magistrate Abu Sayeed of Dhaka district led the drive.
Grabbers have been filling up the river for many months but newly appointed BIWTA Chairman Dr Md Shamsuddoha Khandakar vowed to make the river around the capital free from pollution and encroachment within a year. The drive will be resumed today.
-With The Daily Star input
