DNCC targets dengue-free Dhaka North, orders footpath evictions

Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) Administrator Md Shafiqul Islam Khan has set a three-month target to make Dhaka North dengue-free and ordered immediate removal of illegal structures occupying footpaths, saying no further notices will be issued to encroachers.

He made the remarks on Saturday while inaugurating a special cleanliness and anti-mosquito campaign in Mirpur aimed at destroying Aedes mosquito larvae and raising public awareness about dengue prevention.

“According to the prime minister’s announcement, we are working to make Dhaka North City Corporation dengue-free within the next three months. Cleanliness drives are being conducted every day in different areas,” he said. 

He stressed that the city corporation alone could not achieve the goal and called for active participation from residents.

“It is not possible for the city corporation alone to make the city dengue-free. Everyone must come forward and cooperate to achieve this goal,” he added.

Mobile courts to intensify drives

Shafiqul Islam said DNCC had been conducting cleanliness and mosquito-control activities across the city for the past three months. Mobile courts led by 10 executive magistrates are also inspecting residential buildings, educational institutions, business establishments and other premises to detect Aedes larvae.

Fines are being imposed where mosquito larvae are found, while residents are being encouraged to keep their homes and surroundings clean.

Nearly 70,000 trees planted

Shafiqul Islam Khan also urged residents to establish rooftop gardens and plant trees around their homes as part of efforts to make Dhaka greener.

He said nearly 70,000 trees had been planted across Dhaka North during the past seven months and that the programme would be expanded to educational institutions, road medians and other suitable locations.

‘No more notices’ for footpath encroachers

On the issue of illegal occupation of footpaths, Shafiqul Islam Khan said pedestrians had the right to use the city’s footpaths safely and that DNCC would no longer issue repeated notices to illegal occupiers.

“Those who have occupied footpaths for business were given notices earlier. But they did not take any effective action in response to the notices,” he said.

“Now there will be no more notices. Wherever a footpath is occupied, mobile courts will conduct drives and remove the illegal structures to make the footpaths accessible to the public. There will be no compromise on this issue,” he warned.

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72-hour deadline for metro pillar posters

The DNCC administrator also ordered local leaders to remove political posters, coaching-centre advertisements and other promotional materials pasted on metro rail pillars across the city within 72 hours.

He said such posters and leaflets were damaging the aesthetic appearance of Dhaka.

“I have given our local leaders a timeframe of 72 hours. Within this period, you will coordinate and remove these posters,” he added.

He also urged local leaders to take measures to prevent political posters and commercial advertisements from being pasted on metro rail pillars again.

Illegal structures demolished in Mirpur

Following the inauguration of the special cleanliness programme, special waste bins were installed under the metro rail for shopkeepers to dispose of waste at designated places. The authorities urged traders and residents to use the bins properly.

A rally was later brought out under the leadership of the DNCC administrator to raise awareness about cleanliness, dengue prevention and greening.

An eviction drive was subsequently conducted in the Fruit Market area of Mirpur-10, where illegal structures were demolished.