Encroachment on some parts of the Turag River in the northwestern part of the capital continues as re-demarcation has not yet been carried out and the authorities concerned have turned a blind eye to the problem.
Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) last year decided to re-demarcate the river and recover the encroached land this monsoon with the help of the Shipping Ministry and the offices of the deputy commissioners in Dhaka and Gazipur.
But no such step has yet been taken even though it is high monsoon, making it easy for grabbers to grab more riverbed and riverbank lands.
In defiance of a High Court order and a directive of the prime minister, grabbers keep constructing structures such as industries, markets, shops, garages, restaurants and educational institutions on the riverbank lands illegally. A group of sand traders also operate their business by filling up riverbed lands.
The Dhaka Tribune correspondent during a recent visit saw a range of establishments erected by grabbing lands on both sides of the river in Gabtoli, Borobazar, Harirampur, Jahanabad, Sinnirtek, Jagannathbad, Golbari, Kanundia, Ashulia and Tongi.
BIWTA Chairman Commodore Mohammad Mozammel Haque could not be reached for comment on the progress of re-demarcation despite repeated attempts.
In November 2014, BIWTA former chairman Dr Md Samsuddoha Khandaker told the Dhaka Tribune setting up demarcation pillars in the middle of the river was a wrong step, adding that further demarcation would be done.
In April 2011, Gazipur district administration wrongly demarcated the river by setting up pillars at the low-water mark, thus excluding much of the riverbed.
BIWTA sources said around 600 acres of riverbank lands had been grabbed from Tongi to Aminbazar.
Attempts have also been made by Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (Rajuk) and Bangladesh Water Development Board to recover occupied lands but they could not make much progress.
In July last year, the Supreme Court cleared the way for removing all structures, excluding those set up by the government to serve public interests, erected on the banks of four rivers encircling Dhaka - Shitalakhya, Balu, Turag and Buriganga.
Back in 2009, the High Court ordered to remove all illegal structures and erect demarcation pillars in accordance with the CS and RS survey. The pillars were to be placed 150 feet away from the river slope.
The river was originally 1,500 feet wide which had now taken the shape of a canal because of continuous encroachment.
On May 6 this year, the Supreme Court stayed a High Court order on setting up demarcation pillars in the river in the capital’s Mohammadpur in response to a petition filed by Human Rights and Peace for Bangladesh.
The High Court then instructed the authorities to evict all illegal establishments along the riverbanks.
An order was also given to mark the rivers according to the Cadastral survey and set up pillars.