WDB Land Encroached Near Paikgachha Shibbari Bridge As Authorities Look Away

An influential local man has been accused of illegally occupying nearly an acre of government land belonging to the Water Development Board (WDB) to construct a permanent commercial establishment in Paikgachha Upazila.

The structure, which is nearing completion, sits on state property adjacent to the Shibbari Bridge under Polder No. 10/12 in Chak Bogra Mouza. Local residents expressed deep frustration, alleging that despite the construction being carried out openly, authorities have remained mysterious onlookers, raising public concern over the safety of state property.

WDB land serves as a critical resource for river management, embankments, and regional flood control. Residents fear that allowing permanent private structures on this land will severely hamper future public development projects and create environmental hazards for the surrounding ecosystem.

"There is no legal provision for private ownership of WDB land," a local resident stated under anonymity. "This is a deliberate attempt to grab state property by establishing permanent physical structures. If the administration doesn't act immediately, this land will be lost permanently."

The accused, Sirajul Islam, could not be reached for comment despite multiple attempts to contact him.

Similarly, Raju Howlader, the Deputy Assistant Engineer of the Paikgachha Water Development Board, failed to respond to multiple phone calls seeking an official statement on the administrative inaction. Outraged locals have urged immediate, high-level intervention from the upazila administration and senior WDB officials to dismantle the structure and recover the land.