Rajuk demolishes 50 structures in Bhasantek

Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (Rajuk) on Tuesday knocked down more than 50 structures illegally built on the land of a road in Bhasantek under the Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC).

The capital development authority conducted the drive in the area for the second consecutive day as part of a campaign against illegal establishments set up on various city roads.

Rajuk's Executive Magistrate Jesmin Akter conducted the demolition drive to get the road from Bhasantek Bazar to the pocket gate of the Dental College rid of the illegal structures.

The mobile court carried out the drive in the presence of DNCC Mayor Atiqul Islam.  

Rajuk Authorised Officer Noor-e-Alam, DNCC Chief Executive Officer Mohammad Selim Reza, Chief Waste Management Officer Commodore M Saidur Rahman, councillors Salek Mollah of Ward No 15 and Mohammad Matiur Rahman of Ward No 16 and other Rajuk officials and local Awami League leaders were also present during the drive.

However, the owners claimed that the buildings were designed with the permission of Rajuk

"We built the buildings with complying all rules. At that time, the road land was kept at 20 feet of width. Now our buildings are being demolished without any notice.

"We also want the road to be built with the whole land. But in this way, unilaterally demolishing our buildings is not right for Rajuk."

Rajuk Authorised Officer Noor-e-Alam told The Business Standard, "We have been conducting this mobile court since morning. The structures that fall inside according to Rajuk's map will be demolished."

He said, "A mobile court is not run with notice. We still gave the building owners time."

When asked how the owners built the buildings on the road with the permission of Rajuk, the officer declined to comment.

Executive Magistrate Jesmin Akter did not make any comment on the demolitions, saying she has instructions from the ministry not to speak to the media in this regard.

Mayor Atiqul Islam said, "There will be no structures inside the Rajuk map. We will knock down all the illegal establishments."

He said 10-12 feet of the 20-foot road from Bhasantek Bazar to the pocket gate of Dental College have been encroached upon.  

"This road could not be widened in various ways. Therefore, we are carrying out the demolition drive along with the people's representatives, party leaders, and people of this area," the mayor told journalists. "If this road is wide, it will be convenient for everyone."

Atiqul Islam said, "Those who have illegally occupied the lands of Rajuk or canals should vacate the lands immediately. Or else, all the installations will be demolished in this way. No one can stay in Rajuk's map."

Meanwhile, Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) has been removing waste from culverts and canals since Saturday.

Fencing has been done on a part of the Jirani canal along with the primary waste removal work of four canals.