BIWTA demolishes 27 shops in Sadarghat launch terminal

Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) on Tuesday demolished a total of 27 unauthorised shops in Sadarghat launch terminal area.

"We successfully conducted the drive without any obstacles," BIWTA deputy director (DD) Mizanur Rahman told the FE.

The rubble of the demolished structures will be cleared immediately with their sale at an auction, added Mr Rahman.

According to sources, BIWTA established the shops in 2006 and rented them out to traders.

But in 2011, the authorities directed the shopkeepers to vacate the shops, taking the beauty of the important water transport terminal into consideration.

Next year, the traders filed a writ petition with the High Court, which stayed the BIWTA's move to evict the businesses.

"Following several years of legal battle, the Appellate Division on May 19 gave a verdict in BIWTA's favour," said the BIWTA official.

The judgment will help BIWTA enhance beauty of the important water vessel terminal, sources said.

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