Rajshahi, Feb 26 (V7N) – The demolition of illegal structures on the land of the Water Development Board (WDB) at Bhabaniganj Bazar's Chaurasta in Bagmara, Rajshahi, has become a mystery due to a lack of coordination between the local administration and WDB officials. This issue was confirmed by Arifur Rahman Ankur, Executive Engineer of Rajshahi’s Water Development Board.

Local residents have expressed frustration over the failure to remove these illegal structures. Due to the inaction of both the local administration and WDB officials, the residents have become suspicious. A written complaint signed by over 100 students and locals was submitted on February 19 to the Divisional Commissioner of Rajshahi, the District Commissioner, and the Local Government Adviser, requesting the removal of these illegal structures.

The complaint revealed that influential people in the area had illegally occupied public land, causing traffic jams and building permanent structures, such as houses and shops, which they rent out for profit. These illegal constructions have severely disrupted public movement, and accidents are frequently occurring at this intersection. In response, students and concerned citizens have organized efforts to urge authorities to demolish these structures and clear the road for public use.

Previously, on November 13, 2024, students from Bhabaniganj University College, Fazil Madrasa, and Women’s Degree College, along with over 100 local residents, submitted a written complaint to the government’s advisers, the Divisional Commissioner, the District Commissioner, and the Executive Director of the Water Development Board, requesting the removal of illegal structures. Initially, WDB officials made some efforts to remove these illegal structures, but the process mysteriously stalled.

Local people allege that powerful individuals in the area are secretly collaborating with the Executive Engineer of the Water Development Board, which has led to reluctance in taking action to remove the illegal structures. Despite initially planning to remove them, the WDB official later stepped back from the initiative.

As a result, the public has become suspicious about the real reasons behind the delay in removing these illegal structures. They have called for immediate intervention from the government to ensure the demolition of these structures and the expansion of the road for public use.

When contacted, the Upazila Executive Officer of Bagmara, Mahbubul Islam, said, "If the WDB officials take action to remove the illegal structures on their land, we will demolish the illegal structures on our land as well."

Meanwhile, Rajshahi Water Development Board’s Executive Engineer, Arifur Rahman Ankur, stated that the problem arose because the areas of the WDB and the Upazila Administration overlap. He assured that with the cooperation of the Upazila administration, all illegal structures would be removed, and the road would be made more accessible for the public.

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