Housing and Public Works Minister Zakaria Taher has said eviction drives have been conducted against unauthorised private housing projects in areas adjacent to Arial Beel in Munshiganj, adding that legal action will be taken if specific complaints are received in the future.
The minister made the remarks in a written reply to a question from Munshiganj-1 MP Md Abdullah during the question-and-answer session of the national parliament's budget session today (28 June).
Zakaria said the National Housing Authority, in coordination with the local administration, field-level officials and an executive magistrate, carried out eviction drives targeting billboards and signboards to stop unauthorised housing projects in areas surrounding Arial Beel in Sirajdikhan and Sreenagar upazilas.
He said the National Housing Authority regularly publishes warning notices in national newspapers to discourage the public from purchasing plots or flats from unregistered and unauthorised developer companies.
According to the minister, action is taken under existing rules, including cancellation of registration, if any registered developer violates registration conditions.
He said the government is committed to protecting agricultural land, wetlands and natural water bodies.
To that end, the district administration, upazila administration, Department of Environment and other relevant agencies are taking legal measures to prevent unauthorised housing projects, the filling of agricultural land and illegal encroachment in areas adjacent to Arial Beel.
The minister said approval from the relevant authorities is mandatory under the Sand Quarry and Soil Management Act, 2010, and other applicable laws for filling agricultural land and wetlands, changing land classification or implementing housing projects.
If any housing company undertakes a project without approval, authorities may conduct investigations, operate mobile courts, impose fines, halt construction work and file cases where necessary, he added.
Minister Zakaria said the government is regularly monitoring the situation in coordination with relevant ministries to preserve the environmental balance and water bodies of Arial Beel.
He added that if specific complaints are received against any individual or company, legal action will be taken under the Real Estate Development and Management Act, 2010.
illegal housing / Arial Beel / Housing projects
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