Most canals in Dhaka city have disappeared, and those that remain are severely threatened by pollution and encroachment. For the past three years, the Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) has been actively working to save these canals through various eviction operations. However, despite some progress, a significant portion of the canals remains in the hands of powerful occupiers, raising concerns about the effectiveness of these efforts. Allegations have surfaced that while the structures of weaker, less influential squatters are being demolished, those owned by more powerful individuals remain untouched.
Recently, DNCC conducted eviction operations against several structures, including the Sadiq Agro cattle farm, which had occupied the Ramchandrapur canal in Satmasjid Housing, Mohammadpur. Excavation work began to restore the canal’s water flow, with DNCC claiming that the encroached canal would be restored to its original state as per the CS map, regardless of the influence of the occupiers.
However, an on-the-ground inspection revealed a different picture. The canal rescue operation halted behind Sadiq Agro, leaving many illegal structures untouched. DNCC officials appear indifferent, and there has been no further excavation to clear the canal.
Urban planner Prof. Adil Muhammad Khan highlighted the issue, noting that while weaker squatters have been evicted, powerful entities, including a nearby private university and other large buildings, remain intact. He pointed out that this selective enforcement of the law benefits those who are socially, politically, and economically powerful, undermining the rule of law in the country.
Prof. Khan stressed that enforcing the rule of law is crucial for alleviating Dhaka’s waterlogging issues by rescuing the canals. The Ramchandrapur canal, according to the CS map, spans 3.65 kilometers, originating from Turag and passing through Ramchandrapur Mauza, Rayerbazar Slaughterhouse, and Military Cemetery before flowing into Buriganga. One branch of the canal runs through Sat Masjid Housing and Mohammadpur, where a 100-foot-wide section has been occupied by a music school named ‘Surer Dhara,’ founded by Rabindra Sangeet composer Rezwana Chowdhury Banya. The school claims to have leased the land from the district administration, although such a settlement contradicts the Reservoir Protection Act.
To the north of Surer Dhara lies the University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh (ULAB) campus, while the south side is occupied by various small and large buildings, including an eight-story building named ‘Daroga Bari,’ constructed approximately four years ago. A significant portion of this building encroaches on the canal, and no approval was sought from the Capital Development Authority (RAJUK) for its construction. Despite a portion of the building being demolished during DNCC’s boundary pillar installation last year, the owners have since rebuilt it. Among the 10 owners of the building are two police officers, SI Md. Moinul Islam and Inspector Md. Hafizur Rahman, who were stationed at Mohammadpur Police Station during the construction.
SI Md. Moinul Islam defended the building, claiming that the DC pillar is far from their structure and that they had removed the part of the building that extended beyond it. He questioned why the city corporation has not taken action against the nearby Surer Dhara building, which is also located on the canal.
According to DNCC, 980 boundary pillars have been installed around 29 canals within Dhaka North City Corporation’s jurisdiction, with the help of the army, and an additional 777 pillars are recommended. In the Ramchandrapur canal alone, 201 pillars have been installed, with 42 more proposed. However, the boundary pillars around Sadiq Agro, Surer Dhara, and Daroga Bari were notably absent.
Local councilor Asif Ahmed (DNCC-33 Ward) remarked that canals have long been treated as private property by many, leading to widespread encroachment. While some areas of the canal have been recovered, significant portions remain under illegal occupation.
Locals recall that the Ramchandrapur canal was over 100 feet wide before the 1990s, with boats and cargo ships navigating its waters. However, the construction of the Mohammadpur-Gabatli embankment halted the canal’s water flow, and the remaining canal area was gradually filled in and used for other purposes, including as part of a cemetery.
Despite DNCC’s eviction of some structures, such as the Zaker Dairy cattle farm along the embankment in front of Surer Dhara earlier this year, many illegal structures still remain. DNCC has installed signboards marking the designated area for a playground in some of these locations, while others are earmarked for the new Mohammadpur Police Station.
DNCC Region-5’s Regional Executive Officer, Motakabbir Ahmed, stated that they plan to create a park behind Sadiq Agro and that Surer Dhara has a permanent settlement from the district administration, implying that DNCC has no jurisdiction over it.
In the meantime, other areas of the Ramchandrapur canal, such as those in Bachila Garden City, continue to be filled in and occupied, despite attempts to vacate some parts. The housing company has even installed canal boundary pillars within the cordoned-off plots.
The once-thriving canal system, which was connected to the Buriganga and Lautla canals as recently as 15 years ago, is now on the verge of extinction due to encroachment and development projects. Many illegal buildings, ranging from 5 to 10 stories, have been constructed on the canal. Although DNCC decided to remove illegal encroachments from the Haikka canal and restore boat movement during its 26th corporation meeting in April, no visible action has been taken due to pressure from powerful occupiers.
Reporter: Saiful Masum
Source: Ajker Patrika