The re-excavation work of the Old Channel of the Buriganga River may start this month, said Mayor of Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) Fazle Nur Taposh on Wednesday.

He made the remark while talking to reporters after visiting the Companighat Sluice Gate in the capital’s Kalunagar.

“The tender process of the re-excavation work is at its final stage. We hope that we’ll be able to start the work within this month. We’ll start the work after demarcating the area by demolishing all the illegal structures surrounding the river,” said Taposh.

Replying to a question, Taposh said that DSCC has already retrieved six and a half acres of land from occupants. Besides, a 10-storey illegal structure beside the Buriganga River has also been demolished.

“We’ll be able to reclaim the government land this time too,” added Taposh.

He also said that the DSCC authority is repairing the sluice gates keeping the increased water flow during the monsoon season in mind.

“We’re yet to receive the repaired sluice gates officially. Currently we’re focusing on how to keep them running,” added the Mayor.   

MP of Dhaka-9  Saber Hossain Chowdhury, DSCC Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Farif Ahammad, Chief Waste Management Officer Air Commodore Sitwat Naim other officials were present during the Mayor’s visit.