The Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) launched a drive to demolish the riverside bungalow of former state minister for power, energy and mineral resources Nasrul Hamid, built illegally on the Buriganga banks in Keraniganj.
The operation began around 11am on Wednesday near the Keraniganj side, opposite of Narayanganj’s Fatullah launch terminal.
During the drive, nearly two acres of land were cleared, including the demolition of the boundary wall and structures inside the bungalow compound.
BIWTA officials said the drive was carried out in compliance with a 2009 High Court order issued in response to a public interest litigation, which directed the removal of illegal structures occupying riverbanks.
They added that all illegal establishments within demarcated pillars along the river will be cleared in phases.
This follows a series of legal actions against Hamid.
On April 30, a court ordered the seizure of land worth Tk200 crore belonging to him in Gulshan.
Earlier, on January 16, the court imposed a travel ban on Hamid and his wife, Sima Hamid, in connection with a case filed by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC).
According to ACC, during his tenure as state minister, Hamid abused his authority to help his wife acquire undeclared wealth amounting to Tk6.98 crore in her name.