Land Adviser Ali Imam Majumdar on Tuesday urged all concerned to give priority to preserving agricultural land when taking up development schemes.
“Before taking up a project, it is important to consider whether it can be implemented by excluding agricultural land as much as possible. Above all, agricultural land must be protected,” he said while presiding over the 146th meeting of the Central Land Allocation Committee at the Ministry of Land.
The adviser also emphasized the importance of taking local opinion into account in land acquisition cases.
“In cases where land is acquired for national development, the opinions of the local people should be valued,” he said.
In the meeting, several land acquisition proposals were discussed and decisions were made.
It was decided to acquire 0.50 acres of land at Plot No 334 in Bhagdi Mouza of Narsingdi district and 0.50 acres at various plots in Chandana Mouza of Gazipur district for the project titled “Establishment of BSTI Regional Offices in 110 Districts” under the Bangladesh Standards and Testing Institution.
A decision was also taken to acquire 2.5958 acres of land in Baunia Mouza under Dhaka North City Corporation for the project to widen and develop the road from ECB Chattar to Mirpur and construct the Kalshi Intersection flyover.
Under the project titled “Development of Ramerkanda-Lakirchar (Ruhitpur Bazar) Link Road (R-823)” by the Munshiganj Road Department, a proposal was placed to acquire 11.553 acres of land in Ruhitpur and Shakta Mouzas under Keraniganj upazila.
For the “Bangladesh Environmental Sustainability and Transformation (Best)” project of the Department of Environment, 0.450 acres of land may be acquired in different parts of Baghata Mouza under Sadar Upazila of Narsingdi district for the establishment of its own building.
A proposal was made to acquire 8.7361 acres of land under the “Infrastructure Development for Japanese Economic Zone in Araihazar, Narayanganj” project to establish a new gas transmission line from Haripur to Dighibrabo.
Since 0.60% of the proposed land is currently allocated for religious institutions, steps taken for their relocation will be reviewed.
A decision may also be taken to acquire 20 acres of land in different parts of Majhina Mouza under Rupganj Upazila of Narayanganj for constructing a modern and up-to-date BCS (Tax) Academy.
Under the “Modernization and Strengthening of the Department of Factories and Establishments Inspection and Establishment of 13 District Offices (1st Amendment)” project by the Ministry of Labour and Employment, 0.33 acres of land in Baghata Mouza of Narsingdi district will be acquired for the construction of the district deputy inspector general’s office.
In addition, a decision may be taken to acquire 0.5053 acres of land for the Balushair FCDI Sub-Center under the “Climate-Smart Agriculture and Water Management (CSAWM)” project of the Ministry of Water Resources.
A proposal to acquire 0.0246 acres of land in Burairhat Mouza of Narsingdi district for the preservation and development of the house of Girish Chandra Sen as an important archaeological monument was approved.
The secretary has approved the acquisition of 368.00 acres of land at various locations in Majerchar, Chanpur Diara and Katuarchar Mouzas under Raipur upazila of Narsingdi district for the “Raipura 120 MW (AC) Peak Grid Tied Solar Power Plant” project.
Additionally, 0.1053 acres of land in Uttar Parich Brahmanchiran Mouza under Motijheel police station of Dhaka district will be acquired for constructing Ventilation Duct-5 as part of the correction work on Knox Gazi at Kamalapur Patal metrorail station under the Dhaka Mass Rapid Transit Development Project (Line-1).
