Pradeep Kumar Rath, Special Representative: New dimensions added to the much-discussed BP-8 canal recovery program of Uttar Charbanshi Unitan of Ratapur Upazila of Laxmipur. The recent eviction campaign of the administration has been seen as positive by the district administration to restore the existential crisis due to long illegal encroachment, filling and contraction. But their question is whether this campaign is only Samtik, or will the canal be taken effective to keep the canal free from encroachment?
According to the information of the district administration, on Tuesday (June 9) from 11:30 am to 4:47 pm, the 61streeks of the 17336-spotted water of the 40-year-old Charbanshi Mauza of Ragpur Upazila were conducted in the eviction of the canals under the control of the 61 buildings illegally built in the operation.
According to local sources, various businesses, shops and other structures have been built up in the canals adjacent to the steel bridge over the years. These structures have been disrupted by the natural flow of the canal and the problem of waterlogging during the monsoon season is evident in the current re-excavation project.
However, after the campaign, the question of stability has come up again. Many local journalists and conscious people think that the eviction of small businessmen from the humanitarian point of view is not a happy event but the rescue of canals was a matter of greater public interest. The only condition is that after the eviction, it should be ensured that it is not re-encroached.
A local journalist said, “The canal rescue must be supported, if The government's aim is to permanently restore public property, but after a few months, If the shops are raised again at the same place, then the small businessmen will be the most affected, and at the same time those who have been in the process of illegal occupation or are taking financial benefits will also have to be held accountable.”
Recently, several reports published in the re-excavation of the BP-8 canal have revealed that the stretch from the steel bridge of the canal to Khasherhat Hate Baburhat has been suffering from encroachment and pollution for a long time. As a result, the water drainage system has been disrupted and agricultural production and environment has also been damaged. After the re-excavation of the EGPP program in the financial year 2025-26, the re-excavation work has started, there is a new hope among the locals.
However, the conscious community feels that only the re-excavation or eviction campaign is not enough if the government funding will not bring the desired benefits if the government funds are not taken to determine the boundaries of the canal, prepare the list of occupiers, and prevent recapture of the future.
According to experts, there have been many eviction operations to rescue canals in different parts of the country, but due to lack of adequate monitoring, the biggest challenge in front of the administration is to ensure long-term re-excavation of the canal after eviction and re-excavation of the canal.
Local residents expect that the BP-8 canal will not be dug only, but the canal will be fully restored. If the canal is operational, the waterlogging will be reduced, agricultural production will be reduced, the balance of the environment will be restored and the local economy will also have a positive impact.
The language of the conscious citizens of Rathapur, “Whether the eviction operation has been successful or not, the actual value will be in place for a few years. If the canal is free from encroachment, it will be an exemplary initiative in the public interest, and if it is recaptured, this eviction will be only a day's administrative program.”
So now the most important question surrounding the canal rescue and re-excavation program is that after the eviction of illegal structures, will the BP-8 canal really regain its lost existence, or will it be again under the control of the occupiers? Same will give that answer.
