Illegal structures on Kuakata beach knocked down

Water Development Board (WDB) knocked down around 112 illegal structures on Kuakata beach in Patuakhali's Kalapara yesterday.

Over 65 other illegal structures would be demolished very soon, said Abul Khayer, executive engineer of WDB in Kalapara.

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ABM Sadiqur Rahman, Kalapara upazila nirbahi officer and also executive magistrate, led the drive with the help of police.

On the first day of the eviction drive, 112 illegal structures were knocked down on both sides of Kuakata Zero Point (Chowrasta) area.

Of the structures, there were roadside restaurants, tea stalls, grocery shops and shops selling showpieces.

They started the drive to make both sides of Kuakata flood control dam area free from illegal structures, Khayer said.

On January 8 this year, Patuakhali district administration demolished at least 60 illegal structures near Narikel Bagan (coconut orchard) on Kuakata beach.

The action was taken following a newspaper report that illegal structures are springing up along the Kuakata beach ignoring a High Court directive.

On January 18, 2012, the HC bench of Justice AHM Shamsuddin Choudhury Manik and Justice Jahangir Hossain Selim declared the construction of private structures on sea beaches and shores illegal and directed the government to draw up a master plan to turn Kuakata sea beach into an ideal tourist destination.

In its verdict on the writ petition filed by Human Rights and Peace for Bangladesh on June 2, 2011, the court ordered the government to immediately remove all the structures built by any individual or company within the demarcated area of Kuakata beach.