Save Villages, Save People, Remove Elevated Expressway": Protest in South Keraniganj

Residents of Rajendrapur in South Keraniganj blocked the Dhaka-Mawa highway and staged a protest rally and human chain on Sunday, August 10, 2025, demanding a change in the proposed route of the Dhaka East-West Elevated Expressway. The demonstration took place in the morning at Rajendrapur in Teghoria Union.

The area echoed with slogans such as “Save Villages, Save People, Remove Elevated Expressway” and “We will protect our homes with the last drop of our blood.” Thousands of people, including women, men, children, students, and the elderly, participated, turning the human chain and protest into a mass gathering.

Local residents allege that the proposed turning point of the expressway will affect at least 10 villages in Teghoria Union. If implemented, the plan would lead to the demolition of hundreds of homesteads, mosques, temples, schools, and playgrounds. The protesters clarified that they are not against development but emphasized that it must be humane and environmentally friendly. They argued that shifting the route just one kilometer eastward would save the villages and reduce government expenditure. Citing the example of former State Minister for Power Nasrul Hamid Bipu’s Priyo Prangon project, speakers questioned the need to displace homesteads when open spaces are available. They asked why evictions are being prioritized when simpler solutions exist to protect people’s homes. The residents demanded that the government incorporate public opinion into development plans and consider alternative routes to protect villages and the environment. They warned of launching a larger movement if their demands are not met. Al Imran, a resident of Baghair Nagar, expressed frustration, stating that over the past 15 years, more than 1,200 acres of land from Teghoria Union alone have been acquired for projects like Jagannath University, Central Jail, Priyo Prangon, Jhilimil Residential Project, South Town, RAB-10, Mayakanon, and Armed Police facilities. “How much more will the people of Teghoria have to give?” he asked.

Jewel Molla, convener of the Dhaka District Farmers’ League, warned that implementing the proposed design would erase the centuries-old history of the villages and render them uninhabitable. He described Teghoria Union as a heritage-rich community tied to the livelihoods of thousands. “We urge the government to change the route, not the people,” he said.