The Buriganga issue

Take the issue of land encroaching and land filling. Time and again we have seen efforts to stop the illegal constructions on the banks of Buriganga. If one looks at the demolition of the so called illegal establishment on today's (13/04/04) DS, one would certainly ask that how could these be illegal structures. For the establishments that are being demolished are not make-shift shanty structures, they are solidly built double storied buildings, probably used as shops and warehouses.

We have seen time and again efforts by the government to clear the banks of Buriganga of illegal occupation. This was taken up as a prominent issue during the time of caretaker government. The present government also took steps from time to time to make the banks of Buriganga clear of all illegal occupation.

My question is that once the illegal establishments have been cleared, why are not trees planted and vigilance mounted so that the encroachers do not come back. For it is certain that two storied building cannot be constructed overnight. It will take at least six months or more to do so. What were the concerned authorities doing during that time? Are we to believe that all government agencies are so corrupt that one can construct a two-storied building on encroached land?

May be it is about time that we wake up from our slumber and take concrete steps to free the banks of our beloved Buriganga once and for all.