According to the investigation report, seven companies of Meghna Group have occupied a total of 241.27 acres of river land in the area.
A 12-member investigation committee submitted its report recently to the Cabinet Division and the Narayanganj district administration after conducting field-level investigations over nearly two years.
The report said 84.77 acres of the occupied land have been used for various structures and main buildings, while roads have been constructed on around 5.5 acres.
The committee has recommended the immediate recovery of the encroached river land and restoration of the Meghna’s natural flow. It also recommended taking effective action against government authorities responsible for failing to properly protect the river.
Mohammad Alauddin, a full-time member of the NRCC and head of the investigation committee, said the report had been submitted to the Cabinet Division and the Narayanganj Deputy Commissioner.
“Based on the findings of the report, the district administration will take steps to recover the river land,” he said.
The investigation began in October 2019. Although the process was disrupted for a period due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it resumed later. Members of the committee inspected different areas of Baidyer Bazar, Hossainpur and Pirojpur unions in Sonargaon.
The investigation found evidence of river land being filled and used for industrial establishments in Char Ramzan, Sonaullah, Purba Damodardi, Paschim Damodardi, Dudhghata, Tengarchar, Chhayhisya, Narsuldi, Ashariarchar and Jhauchar areas.
The committee also inspected several facilities, including Meghna Pulp and Paper Mills, sugar refineries, Fresh Sugar, chemical factories and Fresh Cement. Some of these establishments are located on or connected to the river’s main land, riverbanks and floodplains, according to the report.
The report said the investigation found alleged encroachment extending nearly two kilometres into the river from the northern and southern banks of the Marakhali River, a branch of the Meghna, beside the Dhaka-Chattogram Highway.
The committee also found evidence of river land being filled for the construction of boundary walls, industrial structures and jetties in several areas.
According to the committee’s observations, such land filling could obstruct the natural flow of the Meghna and adversely affect the surrounding wetlands, biodiversity and low-lying areas.
A review of land records also produced significant findings. According to the land office, many parcels occupied by Meghna Group were recorded as river land in the CS records. Some of the land was also identified as government-owned khas land in the RS records.
The issue of permits issued by the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) for the construction and operation of jetties belonging to several Meghna Group companies was also examined. The report noted that licences for two jetties established on river land had not been renewed.
The committee also examined environmental clearances held by several industrial establishments. However, it warned that industrial facilities built on river land or floodplains, as well as the discharge of liquid waste into the river, could pose risks to the environment and biodiversity.
The investigation committee made 12 recommendations for recovering the occupied river land and restoring the river’s natural flow. These include urgently identifying and reclaiming encroached river land, removing illegal structures and ensuring effective action by relevant government agencies to protect the river.
Narayanganj Deputy Commissioner Mostain Billah said the commission’s report had not yet reached his office.
“However, we have already held a meeting with the commission on the issue. Necessary action will be taken after receiving instructions from the Cabinet Division,” he said.
Sonargaon Upazila Nirbahi Officer Atikul Islam said river land and government property occupied by Madina Group had already been recovered following instructions from the district administration.
“Encroachment by other industrial establishments will also be listed, and steps will be taken to recover the river land,” he said.
