Ban Water Taxi Service in Hatirjheel: HC

The High Court has suggested stopping operation of Hatirjheel water taxi service as the water and the aesthetic beauty of Hatirjheel are invaluable resources and none should be allowed to spoil those.

The High Court said these in the full text of its judgement passed on June 30, 2021, reports BSS.

The court released the 55-page full text of the judgement and it was published on the website of the apex court on Tuesday.

A High Court division virtual bench of Justice Md Ashraful Kamal and Justice Razik-Al-Jalil had come up with the verdict, declaring a rule absolute in this regard.

The court in its order, declared the project as public trust.

The other directions are — all the commercial infrastructures built in the project area have to be demolished within 60 days of getting the full text, as no commercial infrastructure is allowed in the area.

A separate body has to be formed to protect, develop and run the project and the body shall be governed under the supervision of the Prime Minister's Office.

BUET Engineering Department should be appointed as the permanent adviser of the project, and Bangladesh Army's 24th Brigade should remain as joint adviser.

Underground toilets should be built for the public in the area while clean drinking water should be arranged in the project area.

Separate lanes should be kept for walking, cycling and movement of the disabled. Fish sanctuary should be raised in the project lake.

No commercial infrastructure can be built in the lake.

Human Rights and Peace for Bangladesh filed the writ on August 1, 2018, and the court after holding hearing on the matter, had issued the rule.