Staff Correspondent: The Dhaka Water Supply and Sewerage Authority on Wednesday demolished portions of about 20 buildings and two shanties along one kilometre stretch on both sides of the Kalyanpur ‘kha’ canal in the capital.

The authorities, as part of their ongoing drive to reclaim city canals from grabbers, launched a two-day drive on the day to reclaim the canal from Baten Nager to Kalyanpur main canal, with width varying from 60 feet to 120 feet.

Some tenants of the demolished buildings, however, alleged that they did not get any notice from the DWASA or their house owners.

‘I rushed from my office after getting my wife’s phone call that our house is being demolished. We were completely in dark about today’s demolition of our building,’ he said.

The house owner, Alam, said he had built the house after getting approval from Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakhha.

While approached, Dhaka district magistrate Mohammad Shahiduzzaman denied the allegation and added that they had conducted a survey by the both sides of the canal about one and a half month ago while the residents of the marked buildings had been notified.

‘Yesterday (Tuesday) the authorities also made announcement through public announcement system but the house owners took no heed,’ he said.

DWASA magistrate Kazi Wasiuddin said no structure was allowed within seven feet of any canal’s banks.

‘We can also file criminal case against the persons who built structures by the canal sides. We have demolished only portions of some buildings,’ said Wasiuddin.

He also alleged that some people removed the red mark the Dhaka district magistrate had put on the buildings during the survey.

The DWASA officials also said the time of the drive could be extended if necessary.

They also said after the drive five feet walkways would be constructed on both sides of the canal.

During the drive, police members from the Darus Salam thana were present to thwart any resistance from the residents.

DWASA executive engineer of drainage division Sheikh Mohammad Ruhul Amin, Kanungo Khabiruddin and Dhaka district Kanungo Fazlul Haque were also present.

Earlier, the DWASA launched the drive on October 4, 2010 in line with a September 29, 2010 National Task Force on Rivers order to free Dhaka city’s canals from land grabbers and pull down all illegal establishments.

Kazi Wasiuddin said this year Kalyanpur ‘Gha’ and Ramchandrapur canals have been reclaimed.