Abhaynagar (Jessore) Correspondent

Nawapara is an important river, road and rail-based trade centre. It is located alongside or close to the Railway line and the main road (Khulna-Jashore highway or the area of associated roads and highways) owned by Roads and Higjways Department ( RHD)

The vacant or reserved areas between these two entities have long been home to permanent and semi-permanent settlements under influential occupants.

It has been seen on the ground that squatters have occupied valuable land between or on both sides of the railway and road and highway departments and have built brick shops, hotels, restaurants, warehouses, establishments or tin sheds. In many cases, permanent buildings have also been built under the cover of darkness by exerting local influence. Again, some are trying to occupy the land by filling it with sand. Due to the inaction of the concerned authorities, the government is losing crores of taka in revenue and the movement of the common people is being disrupted.

A passerby said, "Since Nawapara is one of the largest fertilizer, coal, and food hubs in the country, various institutions have been illegally established on occupied government land. I think this is one of the reasons for the road accidents. Because fertilizer and coal dumps have been built here without paying attention to the rules and regulations. Loading and unloading will continue constantly. As a result, traffic jams will occur on the highway and road accidents will occur. Therefore, we want the relevant authorities to immediately conduct an eviction drive and vacate the illegal structures and occupied land. This is the expectation so that the lives and property of people, including vehicles, are protected and normal movement is created."

However, despite occasional eviction drives or notices issued by the Bangladesh Railways and the Roads and Highways Department, these places are quickly occupied again under the auspices of influential circles due to the lack of coordinated supervision and strict monitoring.

Jessore Road Division (JRD) Executive Engineer (ED) Shammi Sultana said, "If it is proven that land has been illegally occupied, filled or illegal structures have been constructed, then legal action will be taken against them immediately."