B.Mirror Desk: An allegation has been made against the Meghna Group for land grabbing on the Meghna River in Sonargaon, Narayanganj. The National River Protection Commission has investigated this allegation and found it to be true. After conducting an on-site investigation for almost two years, a 12-member committee has submitted a report to the Cabinet Division.
The report states that seven companies of the Meghna Group have grabbed about 241.27 acres of land on the river. Of this, various establishments and main buildings have been constructed on 84.77 acres of land. Roads have been constructed on another 5.5 acres of land.
As per the committee’s recommendations, the Narayanganj district administration, Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) and Water Development Board have been asked to take initiatives to quickly recover the encroached river land and restore the normal flow of the river. At the same time, it has been recommended to take effective action against the authorities concerned for failing to fulfill their duties to protect the river.
Md., full-time member of the National River Protection Commission and convener of the investigation committee. Alauddin said that the investigation report has been submitted to the Cabinet Division and the Narayanganj Deputy Commissioner. In light of the report, the district administration will take measures to recover the river land.
The investigation committee started its work in October 2019. Later, the investigation activities were interrupted for some time due to the coronavirus infection. Then the investigation was resumed. The committee members visited various areas of Baidyer Bazar, Hossainpur and Pirojpur unions of Sonargaon upazila.
According to the investigation report, information was found during the investigation that various industrial establishments of the Meghna Group have been built by filling the river land in Char Ramjan, Sonaullah, Purba Damodardi, Paschim Damodardi, Dudhghata, Tengarchar, Chhayhisya, Narsuldi, Ashariarchar and Jhauchar areas.
During the on-site inspection, the committee inspected various establishments including Meghna Pulp and Paper Mills, Sugar Refinery, Fresh Sugar, Chemical Factory, Fresh Cement. The report mentions that some of these installations are related to the main land of the river, the coastal areas and the floodplains.
The report also says that the investigation has revealed allegations of encroachment of about two kilometers from the northern and southern banks of the Marakhali River, a branch of the Meghna River, along the Dhaka-Chittagong highway. Information about the construction of boundary walls, installations and jetties by filling the river land in various areas has also been mentioned.
The investigation committee’s observation also says that there is a risk that the normal flow of the Meghna River will be obstructed due to filling the river land. In addition, it may have a negative impact on the environment, biodiversity and low-lying areas of the river and the surrounding wetlands.
The investigation report also highlights the issue of land records. According to the land office, many lands occupied by the Meghna Group are shown as river land in the CS records. The report also mentions that some lands are marked as Khas in the RS records.
The report states that after the government has received the land, it is necessary to pay the government’s share as per the prevailing policy. The investigation committee has also questioned whether this provision has been followed properly in the case of some lands.
Several Meghna Group companies have jetties and the issue of BIWTA’s permission for these has also been mentioned in the investigation report. However, the report quotes BIWTA’s statement that the licenses of two jetties established on river land have not been renewed.
In addition, several Meghna Group companies have clearance certificates from the Department of Environment. The report comments that setting up industrial establishments on river land or floodplains and discharging liquid waste from there into the river can pose a risk to the environment and biodiversity.
The investigation committee has made 12 recommendations to recover river land and restore the normal flow of the river. These include quickly identifying and vacating river land, removing illegal structures, and ensuring the effective role of relevant government agencies in protecting the river.
After the report of the National River Protection Commission came to light, a new discussion has started on the encroachment of the Meghna River. According to river experts, if the recommendations mentioned in the investigation report are not implemented quickly, the de-encroachment of the river may become more difficult.
Narayanganj Deputy Commissioner Mostain Billah told the media that the report of the National River Protection Commission has not yet reached them. However, a meeting has been held with the commission on this issue. He said that necessary action will be taken after receiving the instructions from the Cabinet Division.
Sonargaon Upazila Nirbahi Officer Atiqul Islam said that on the instructions of the Deputy Commissioner, the river and government property along the riverbanks occupied by the Medina Group have already been recovered. He said that measures will be taken to recover the river land by listing the encroachments of other industrial establishments.
