Water Resources Minister Barrister Anisul Islam Mahmud has asked the deputy commissioners (DCs) to prevent occupying rivers across the country.
The minister came up with the directive on Thursday, the third consecutive day of the meeting with DCs.
He also ordered them to take measures to keep the rivers unpolluted.
Anisul said: “DCs have to take measures to prevent occupying rivers and keep the rivers unpolluted in district level. Also they need to take steps for stopping leasing out the river areas.”
If there is any political pressure regarding the matter, the DCs must inform the ministry, he added.
The shipping minister Shahjahan Khan has sought DCs’ cooperation to cover the entire waterways area with security blanket ahead of Eid ul-Fitr.
Shahjahan Khan said: “We will increase the number of ferries for the passengers ahead of the Eid festival.”
