Photo : Collected

DHAKA, May 13, 2026 (BSS)- Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) Administrator Md. Safiqul Islam Khan has said recovering canals from illegal occupation is essential to resolving permanently the water-logging in the capital’s Mirpur and Kalshi areas.

He made the remarks while inspecting a canal cleaning drive at the Sangbadik Colony canal in Kalshi here.

The DNCC administrator said years of illegal encroachment and mismanagement have obstructed the canal’s natural water flow, causing water-logging even after light rainfall.

“We clean the canal repeatedly, but it returns to its previous condition the next day. Spending public money on the same work again and again is not acceptable,” he said.

He warned that those who have illegally occupied canal land and built structures there must be removed within a specific time, otherwise eviction drive would be conducted in accordance with the law with support from local residents.

As an immediate measure, the DNCC will continue cleaning the canal over the next week to provide temporary relief to residents suffering from water-logging, he said.

Safiqul added that discussions would also be held with local residents and house owners’ associations to formulate a permanent solution.

He said the city’s drainage system cannot function properly unless canals are restored to their original condition.

The DNCC administrator also expressed concern over indiscriminate dumping of waste into canals and drains, saying public awareness is essential for ensuring a lasting solution to water-logging.