LGRD Minister Md Tajul Islam on Tuesday said all canals in Dhaka city will be freed from illegal encroachment to help ease waterlogging and enhance its beauty.

“If we can free the canals from illegal encroachment, it will help ease waterlogging problems in the city,” he told reporters after inspecting the eviction of the illegal establishments at Ramchandrapur canal in the Basila area of Mohammadpur.

He said those who invested huge money in illegally building these establishments occupying government land will be affected. But they should have known better, he said adding this will send a message against future illegal encroachment.

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He said the government won’t tolerate any further illegal occupation of government land.

The government has taken a project to launch water transports after linking canals in the city and the work to connect canals will start soon, said Tajul adding “We should bring back the heritage of Dhaka city.”

The two city corporation mayors of Dhaka are working with sincerity to recover the occupied canals in Dhaka, he said.

The minister said the capital city had at least 53 canals running through it. After recovery these canals will have nice walkways and other beauty spots for the city dwellers to enjoy the lovely views, he said.

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Replying to a question Tajul said that an approval has been taken from the prime minister for handing over the canals to the Water Board ,while the process to hand over the canals to housing and public works ministry is underway.