The Turag River, once a vital waterway supporting navigation and biodiversity along the capital’s outskirts, is now facing a growing crisis as encroachment, illegal land transactions and development projects continue to shrink its boundaries.
Serious allegations have emerged that river demarcation pillars were removed along the Abdullahpur–Ashulia embankment stretch during construction of the Dhaka-Ashulia Elevated Expressway.
Locals said the removal of these markers has enabled illegal occupation and land trading along the riverbanks.
A recent visit found extensive construction activity between boundary pillars 31 and 35 in front of Monsur Ali Medical College Hospital. Residents claim the pillars were dismantled to install drainage pipes and build permanent structures. Taking advantage of the situation, land syndicates are reportedly selling portions of river land.
Workers associated with the contractor, China Railway Major Bridge Engineering Group Co. (MBEC), confirmed that the boundary pillars had been removed and permanent drainage infrastructure installed.
However, no clear information is available regarding the whereabouts of the removed pillars, and river port authorities have also failed to provide any explanation.
Encroachment has expanded further with fish and fruit wholesale markets established on the riverbanks. Signboards claiming private ownership have been placed on nearly 1,000 decimals of land.
In one such market, individuals including Rezaul Ahsan Mahmud and Billah Hossain Mahmud have claimed ownership of 55 decimals, while others have claimed additional portions nearby. Notably, a signboard indicates that part of the land was acquired by the Bangladesh Water Development Board, yet a busy market operates there daily.
Behind the market stands a concrete ghat built by the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) at considerable cost, which now remains abandoned.
In another instance, a fruit market has developed on about 133 kathas of land between Abdullahpur and Kamarpara bus stops. Several individuals are claiming ownership of the land through informal agreements, raising further concerns over legality.
Local residents allege that soil has been dumped along the riverbanks to facilitate construction, which could significantly increase flood risks and worsen waterlogging in surrounding areas. They also reported that large volumes of waste are being dumped into the river every day, severely polluting the water.
The Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA), which is responsible for demarcating and protecting river boundaries, has yet to take visible enforcement action. This has raised questions over whether the activities are being carried out with official approval or under the influence of powerful groups.
Attempts to contact BIWTA Director (Ports and Transport) AKM Arif Uddin by phone and text were unsuccessful.
Additional Director (Acting) of BIWTA Muhammad Ismail Hossain said the matter is being reviewed in coordination with the relevant river port authorities and advised contacting officials at Tongi River Port for details.
Md Mamunur Rashid, assistant director of Tongi River Port, told The Bangladesh Post that coordination meetings among relevant agencies are ongoing, given the national importance of the expressway project. He said BIWTA is awaiting directives from the ministry regarding the reinstallation of boundary pillars in affected areas.
He warned that individuals claiming private ownership or constructing structures on river land would face strict action.
“Such activities are completely illegal. Those occupying river land and setting up markets or structures are engaging in fraud and will be treated as encroachers,” he said.
Rashid added that eviction drives would be carried out against illegal establishments, including temporary markets, once directives are received. Legal measures would also be taken to restore navigability and recover government property.
Md Abdul Khalek, executive engineer of Dhaka Electric Supply Company Limited (DESCO), said temporary electricity connections are typically provided for development projects or temporary markets with proper approval. However, such connections are removed immediately if the structures are declared illegal or eviction orders are issued.
Attempts to contact officials from Dhaka North City Corporation regarding waste management in the area did not yield any response.
Experts and residents warn that without urgent and effective intervention, the Turag River may lose its navigability and ecological significance, further worsening environmental challenges around the capital.
