He came up with the remark after inspecting Sutivhola and Kadda canals in Bhatara, Satarkul, Badda areas (wards 37, 38, 40 and 41) on Wednesday.

Talking to reporters at Namapara, Atiqul said there are 13 canals in the expanded wards of DNCC. The illegally occupied parts of these 29km canals will be restored.

The mayor said a project worth Tk 4,025 crore has already been cleared by ECNEC to develop infrastructure.

Also read: DNCC drive: 300 illegal structures evicted in city

“My first job is to build roadside drains in these areas. The second task is to widen the road,” he said. “Narrow roads must be widened.”

People and political leaders and activists are helping us in this work, the mayor said.

“We’ve written to RAJUK not to give any plan for construction of any building in this area. I’ve already instructed the ward councillors so that there would be no new house is built in this area,” he said.

Also read: Dhaka North, South now in charge of city canals, drainage

Regarding the eviction of illegal structures on the canal, the mayor said, “Illegal installations will be evicted according to the CS, RS, City Survey. Because the bigger the canal, the easier the water will flow out of the area.

“I’ve already instructed to clean the drains and make the drains bigger in the project. Besides, no more houses will be built in this area.”

Atiqul said that under the Tk 4,025 crore project, 29km of canals will be re-excavated, embankments will be built, cycle lanes and walkways will be constructed and greening will be done.

Also read: Civic bodies to get charge of city canals: Minister

Among others, DNCC Chief Executive Officer Md Selim Reza, Chief Waste Management Officer Commodore M Saidur Rahman, Chief Engineer Brigadier General Amirul Islam, Chief Health Officer Brigadier General Jobaidur Rahman and local ward councillors were present.