SCC drive soon to free streams from grabbers
A canal threatened by grabbers at Bagbari in Sylhet city.Photo: STAR
Sylhet City Corporation (SCC) has taken initiative to remove illegal structures along the banks of 15 natural streams (locally called chhara) flowing through the city. SCC secretary will receive the quotation proposals from contractors for removal of the illegal structures and reconstruction of the streams on February 26 and the contractors will have to complete their jobs of removing the illegal structures within 15 days of getting their work orders, SCC acting Chief Engineer Noor Azizur Rahman said on Saturday. Tk 24 lakh has been sanctioned for the first phase work to remove structures along the watercourses -- Goali Chhara, Gaviar Khal, Malnichhara, Ratnar Khal, Nochai Chhara, Mongoli Chhara, Kalibari, Haldi Chhara, Ghogini Chhara, Ratan Moni khal and Basu Khal, Bhubi Chhara, Jumki Chhara and Dhopa Chhara. Rest of the works would be done in phases as there is a sanction of Tk one crore in total, the SCC chief engineer said. Grabbers erected illegal structures along the banks of the natural streams/canals. Besides, a number of private house owners laid the outlets of their toilets on the streams polluting the environment, the official said. Due to indiscriminate grabbing, the streams have narrowed down and changed routes at places. It worsens water logging in the city during monsoon. The SCC authorities and the district administration earlier failed to go ahead with their programme for removing the illegal structures due to political pressure during the last governments. After the takeover of the present caretaker government following the declaration of emergency, the SCC identified several illegal structures and asked the owners to remove the occupied portion within a specific period but little response was made.
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