Eviction drive to clear Dhaka’s footpaths

No untoward incident has been reported since the drive began in the capital at 10am on Wednesday

The Traffic Division of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) has begun an eviction drive to free the footpaths and streets of Dhaka from illegal encroachment.

The drive, which began in the capital at 10am on Wednesday, faced obstacles in some places, but no untoward incident was reported.

Dhaka Metropolitan Police Additional Commissioner (Traffic) Anisur Rahman told bdnews24.com that no problems had been reported and everyone was cooperating with the DMP regarding the drive.

"With the cooperation of people in Dhaka, we’ll continue the drive and keep the footpaths clear,” he said.

During the drive from Moghbazar intersection to Bangla Motor, about 25 cases were filed against private cars and motorcycles parked illegally on the road or footpath.

Sgt Rasel Ahmed of the Ramna Division Traffic said that a case was being filed after taking video of the vehicle numbers. Also, Acting Magistrate Imran Ahmed fined Bikrampur Mistanno Bhandar Tk 5,000 for doing business while placing goods and stoves on the footpath on Dilu Road.

Traders were seen removing their goods from the footpath after receiving news of the drive under Shewrapara Metro Rail Station. A magistrate present there also warned them. Similarly, when a magistrate accompanied police to Shewrapara in Mirpur to conduct a raid, traders on the footpath removed their goods themselves.

DMP Executive Magistrate Md Belal Hossain, who was in charge there, told the media: "After the public announcement, some of the footpaths have been cleared. Our campaign will continue to clear the rest."

Tania Sultana, additional deputy commissioner of the Tejgaon Traffic Division, told bdnews24.com: "We have been conducting the drive and have not faced any obstacles so far. Those who were informed earlier have moved away. Those who were occupying the footpath have been removed. The magistrate in charge is issuing fines in various incidents."