Authorities have halted construction of a factory drainage line on government-owned land along the Dhaleshwari river in Manikganj following complaints of encroachment and environmental risk.
The intervention came on Tuesday in the Binyadanghi area of Singair upazila after residents objected to the work, alleging that public land was being occupied and industrial waste could be discharged directly into the river.
Officials said the disputed plots in Sudakshira mouza are recorded as khas land under the latest Diara Survey (BRS), although some portions also fall under private ownership.
On inspection, 13 decimals of plot 337 and 48 decimals of plot 329 were identified as part of khas khatian No 1, where Reza Construction Limited (RCL), operator of the Aspire Washing Factory, had begun building the drainage line.
Residents said the drain was being constructed from the factory, located west of a government road, towards the river to channel wastewater, raising concerns over both land encroachment and pollution.
The issue has also triggered tension among locals, who fear long-term environmental damage.
A similar controversy had earlier emerged in the area when Manikganj Power Generations, owned by the Dorin Group, installed a pipeline over foreshore land to transport flammable materials.
Reports of comparable activities in neighbouring Dhalla union have added to wider concerns about the use of river-adjacent land.
Aspire Washing Plant engineer Nasir Uddin said the company started work after reaching an agreement with a landowner through an intermediary, Labu Sarkar, who arranged the lease.
He said construction has now been suspended following administrative action, and an application has been submitted to the Deputy Commissioner’s office, although approval is still pending.
Labu Sarkar said around five decimals of land had been booked from an individual named Parvez, and a drain about four feet wide and 700 feet long was being built to remove factory waste.
Jamirta Union Land Sub-Assistant Officer Md Atikul Islam said the work was stopped immediately after officials were informed, and the situation is under monitoring.
He warned of legal action if government directives are violated.
Singair Upazila Assistant Commissioner (Land) Md Habel Uddin said the entire stretch from the river to the road falls within foreshore land, where any construction or land filling requires prior approval from the Deputy Commissioner.
He added that environmental compliance of dyeing and washing factories falls under the Department of Environment, and any application will be examined through investigation.
