Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) demolished on Thursday a total of 59 illegal structures along the banks of the river Buriganga in the capital.
Of the illegal structures, one was a four-storey building while two others were three-storey buildings, eight two-storey buildings, a one-story building, 25 semi-pucca buildings and 20 makeshift houses.
The third phase of the eviction drive concluded on the day.
In the earlier two phases, a total of 1,199 structures were demolished and 10 acres of land on the river banks were recovered.
In the third phase of the eviction drive a total of 301 structures were pulled down in the area from Balurghat of Shaheed Nagar to Betarighat of Kamrangirchar and in Basila area on the banks of the river.
The BIWTA demolished a total of 124 structures on Wednesday and 118 structures on the previous day.
A high official of the BIWTA told the FE that they would launch the fourth phase of eviction next week.
Talking to the FE, some local people preferring anonymity claimed that their structures were demolished despite having legal documents.
But the authorities of the BIWTA termed those papers not valid.
The authorities would also build 19 jetties at Amin Bazar, Gabtoli, Kanchpur, Tanbazar, Machuwa Bazar, Khanpur and in some other areas.
The government would also build about 50km-long walkways, plant trees along the walkways and set up three eco-parks at Shinnirtek, Tongi and Ashulia a project.
talhabinhabib@yahoo.com