City corps shift eviction drives up a gear

The Dhaka North and South city corporations have ramped up drives against unauthorised retailers and hawkers that hamper traffic by setting up shop on roads and footpaths. Other than demolishing the illegal shops, authorities are now arresting their owners as well. 

On Wednesday, Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) conducted drives in morning-evening shifts in Mirpur-1. DNCC Administrator Safiqul Islam Khan was present alongside BNP activists. 

During the drives, Safiqul warned hawkers and retailers against keeping their goods for sale on roads and footpaths. 

 “I promised city residents we would reclaim spaces from illegal occupation. Roads should be used by pedestrians and vehicles, but the illegal shops are blocking their movement. On behalf of DNCC, I reclaimed the footpaths at the Mirpur-10 roundabout,” Safiqul said.

“I made the same promise that we will reclaim footpaths. No shop will be allowed to operate by occupying a footpath,” he added.

Meanwhile, DSCC removed more than 100 illegal shops from footpaths near the Dhaka Trade Centre and Fulbaria Supermarket in Gulistan as part of its ongoing drive to clear areas of encroachment.

The drive began at 10am and continued until 1pm, with four executive magistrates, more than 100 eviction workers and six police platoons taking part. Heavy equipment, including pay loaders, were used to demolish the illegal structures while offenders’ goods were also seized.

DSCC Administrator Md Abdus Salam inspected the drive and briefed media present.

He said the city corporation is continuing its regular programme to keep roads and footpaths clean and free from encroachment.

The DSCC administrator said designated footpaths, night markets and holiday markets have been allocated for hawkers and retailers and they will only be allowed to operate in those areas.

“The entire road from Gulistan to Sadarghat will be kept completely clear, hawkers will not be allowed to sit on the main road under any circumstance,” he added.

Abdus further said that hawkers had been warned through various channels and several meetings were held with leaders of hawkers’ organisations to ensure that roads and footpaths remain clear.

However, many hawkers returned to the same spots after the previous eviction drive, leaving authorities with little choice other than to take tougher legal action.

So, goods will be seized and offenders could be arrested if they violate rules by setting up shops on roads and footpaths, he warned. Abdus informed that the eviction and anti-encroachment campaign will continue as an ongoing process.

The drive was conducted by DSCC Chief Estate Officer and Executive Magistrate Md Rezaul Karim, Chief Revenue Officer and Executive Magistrate Jonaed Kabir Sohag, Estate Officer and Executive Magistrate Hasiba Khan, and Executive Magistrate Md Aminul Islam.