Government land along the Buriganga River in Hasnabad, South Keraniganj, has allegedly been occupied to establish numerous depots selling bricks, sand and stone, with the businesses operating openly around the Poshtogola Bridge.
The depots stretch from the riverbank to areas beneath the bridge, where construction materials are piled up and traded. Three political offices belonging to the Sramik Dal, Tanti Dal and Swechhasebak Dal have also allegedly been established by occupying space around the bridge.
Local residents allege that influential leaders and activists of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and its affiliated organisations have control over the activities in the area. They also allege that money is regularly collected from traders operating the depots and shops.
During a recent visit to the Hasnabad end of the Poshtogola Bridge, piles of bricks, sand and stone were seen on both sides of the bridge and along the riverbank. Temporary structures have been erected at several points, with traders using them as makeshift offices or shops. Large trucks and cargo vessels are also used to transport construction materials to and from the area.
Residents say the activities are affecting the riverside environment and creating difficulties for traffic and public movement around the bridge. The movement of heavy vehicles carrying construction materials adds to congestion and raises concerns about safety for pedestrians and other road users.
Similar structures were removed in 2020
The occupation of the riverbank and bridge area is not a new development. In 2020, the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) conducted an eviction drive against illegal structures that had been built beneath the bridge inside the river boundary marked by boundary pillars.
At the time, 52 illegal structures used for stone and sand businesses were removed, while structures belonging to 25 traders were demolished.
Local residents say similar businesses have gradually returned to the area since then. They claim that the latest occupation covers a stretch of roughly 1 to 1.5 kilometres from beneath the Hasnabad Bridge towards Mokampara.
According to information provided by several local residents and traders, there are currently around 50 to 60 small and large construction-material depots along the stretch. They allege that between Tk10,000 and Tk12,000 is collected every month from each depot, depending on the nature of the business.
Around 150 small shops are also reportedly operating in the area, with traders allegedly paying Tk3,000 a month. Three rickshaw garages are said to contribute a combined Tk38,000 monthly.
Local sources claim that the total amount collected from depots, shops and rickshaw garages is between Tk400,000 and Tk450,000 each month. They further allege that a substantial portion of the money goes to South Keraniganj thana Swechhasebak Dal president Sohel Rana, general secretary Foyez Ahmed Shahin and thana Jubo Dal joint secretary Arman Hossain, while the remainder is distributed among more than 50 local BNP and affiliated-organisation activists.
The allegations could not be independently verified.
Political offices on bridge land
Three political offices belonging to the Sramik Dal, Tanti Dal and Swechhasebak Dal have allegedly been set up by occupying space around the Poshtogola Bridge.
The Sramik Dal office is reportedly operated by Mujahid Islam Faruk, vice-president of the thana Sramik Dal. The Tanti Dal office is said to be under the responsibility of a person named Rony. The Swechhasebak Dal office is reportedly operated by followers of Sohel Rana and Foyez Ahmed Shahin. Local residents also allege that people associated with Arman Hossain are involved in activities around the offices.
Residents claim the offices are used as centres for controlling CNG-run auto-rickshaws and other vehicles using the bridge, as well as shops, construction-material depots, rickshaw garages and the movement of goods along the riverbank.
Local people also claim that Mannan, brother of Selim Member of Ward 9, and his nephew Amit have depots beneath the bridge. They further allege that Asif Mahmud, a candidate for president of the South Keraniganj thana Chhatra Dal, and Mujahid Islam Faruk also have depots there.
There are additional allegations that politically connected traders or their relatives do not have to pay regular rent for their depots or shops. Some establishments have also been accused of using electricity and water illegally.
Traders allege pressure over payments
Several traders told local sources that those who fail to make regular payments face various obstacles in setting up depots, storing goods or continuing their businesses. Some also alleged that money is collected by using the names of specific influential individuals.
Sohel Rana, president of the South Keraniganj thana Swechhasebak Dal, rejected the allegations against him. He said he does not live in the Hasnabad area and has no involvement in the shops beneath the bridge or in collecting money from traders. According to him, local activists are operating businesses in the area.
Foyez Ahmed Shahin, general secretary of the Swechhasebak Dal, said there had previously been an Awami League club at the site. After Awami League members left following the July uprising, local activists from the Tanti Dal, Sramik Dal and Swechhasebak Dal established political offices there, he said.
Responding to allegations concerning illegal shops, depots and extortion, Shahin said local people had established the businesses on government land. He added that they would leave if the government reclaimed the land. He also denied any involvement in collecting money from traders.
Arman Hossain, joint secretary of the South Keraniganj thana Jubo Dal, also denied allegations of land occupation and extortion. He said he has no shop beneath the bridge and is not involved in any occupation or collection of money. He described allegations made using his name as incorrect.
Hossain declined to comment on who collects money in the area. He did, however, acknowledge that three political offices belonging to the Sramik Dal, Tanti Dal and Swechhasebak Dal are operating there.
The allegations have once again raised questions over the management of government land and the riverbank around the Poshtogola Bridge. The return of construction-material businesses after an earlier eviction drive also highlights the difficulty of preventing renewed occupation without sustained monitoring and enforcement.
