Lack of initiatives to remove illegal encroachments on the historic ‘Buckland Bund’ of the capital has almost ruined the beauty spot. Though the river saving taskforce on August 2012 instructed the authorities concerned to clear the ‘Buckland Bund’ from Shyampur to Sadarghat of illegal structures, in the last one year poor initiatives were taken to free the embankment from encroachment and pollution.
During a spot visit, hundreds of passenger and food carrying steamers and boats were seen anchored haphazardly near the embankment that resembles a rubbish yard.
The beauty of the embankment, which was constructed primarily to enjoy the panoramic view of the River Buriganga, has been marred by the concrete structures built at and around the structure right under the very nose of the BIWTA.
Tonnes of wastes continue to be dumped into the river while illegal structures of political party offices, trade union offices, rickshaw garages, BIWTA sheds have been set up on and around the embankment.
North Brook Lane resident Haji Johur Ali told New Age that once upon a time Buckland Bund attracted people of Dhaka as the view of the river from the embankment was an amazing piece of recreation for them.
He said that Buckland Bund was built in 1864 on the northern bank of the River Buriganga by the then commissioner of Dhaka division CT Buckland.
On one side of the river bank there was walkway and greeneries which was a cherished venue for hundreds of morning walkers, said Shahedul Haque, a staff of Jagannath University.
He said now Buckland Bund now lost all its beauty for negligence of river saving authority though BIWTA office was very close to the embankment.
BIWTA officials told New Age that shipping minister Shahjahan Khan at a meeting in August 1, 2012 had ordered the authorities to complete the eviction on the embankment within seven days.
Shahjahan is chairman of the taskforce responsible for ensuring navigability and natural flow of the rivers Buriganga, Sitalakhya, Balu, Turag and other rivers.
He also directed the authorities to remove all illegal structures from the Buckland Bund from Shyampur to Sadarghat.
Local people have alleged that though the Dhaka South City Corporation conducted a drive recently, just after few hours the place was reoccupied by encroachers.
Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority superintending engineer Mahidul Islam said the BIWTA built transit sheds on the bank to make transport of goods to the city easier.
He said that according to the instruction of the shipping minister they had conducted drive and evicted many illegal occupants.
Mahidul added that every year they conducted drive and clean some parts in and around the embankment.
However, Dhaka South City Corporation estate officer Shamsul Alam said Buckland Bund was a historically significant architectural site, but most of the embankment areas were under the occupation of the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority which built many transit sheds on it.
He added that the DSCC conducted a four-day drive in April of this year.
-With New Age input
