Behind the towering structures of Shah Cement, a silent invasion is underway one that threatens to choke the life out of two of Bangladesh’s most crucial waterways. The cement giant, established in 2002, has progressively encroached upon the confluence of the Dhaleshwari and Shitalakkhya rivers, illegally dumping soil and filling up the rivers’ flow. Despite repeated warnings and documented violations dating back years, the authorities remain passive witnesses to this unfolding environmental catastrophe.
Official records reveal that the Munshiganj district administration and the National River Conservation Commission identified Shah Cement as a persistent “encroacher” in 2018, 2019, and as recently as 2023. Yet, no concrete action has been taken to halt the illegal occupation. What was once a vibrant, bustling river used by local fishermen, bathers, and residents has been steadily overshadowed by massive infrastructure, heavy machinery, and warehouses now nestled at the river’s confluence.
The Munshiganj Sadar Assistant Commissioner (Land) confirmed that Shah Cement has occupied extensive portions of river land specifically RS Dag No. 184 in Mirersarai Mouza and RS Dags Nos. 301–308 in Purbo Muktarpur Mouza land officially classified as government-owned river and riverbank areas. Records from the Munshiganj Land Office, based on the Revisional Survey, clearly designate these plots as protected river land, yet the encroachment continues unabated.
Locals from Mollarchar, a riverside village, recount how the factory initially occupied a modest stretch of land. But each dry season, the company expanded its territory by dumping sand into the river, often during night hours. Such illegal activities have severely compromised the rivers’ natural flow, leading to increased sedimentation, reduced navigability, and heightened environmental risks.
In March this year, the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority issued a stern warning to the district administration. The letter highlighted that Shah Cement’s ongoing sand and soil dumping at the confluence was obstructing river flow, hampering navigation, and damaging the ecosystem. Despite directives to cease these activities, the company persists, violating multiple laws including the Ports Act of 1908, Ports Rules of 1966, and court orders. Recently, Brigadier General (Retd.) M Sakhawat Hossain, an advisor to the Ministry of Shipping, visited the site and expressed dissatisfaction, instructing authorities to act decisively.
The gravity of the situation was underscored by official lists compiled over the past few years. On February 15, 2023, the district administration identified Shah Cement as the largest encroacher, occupying nearly 25 acres of the Dhaleshwari riverbed out of a total 34.96 acres seized from 15 entities. An earlier list in 2019 also flagged the company among 50 illegal occupants, with notices issued for eviction and legal action, yet little has changed.
The ongoing encroachment not only threatens the ecological health of Bangladesh’s rivers but also imperils the livelihoods of countless communities dependent on their waters. As the silent invasion continues, the question remains: will the authorities finally wake up and protect these vital lifelines before they are lost forever?
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