23 jailed as police clear Dhaka footpaths in daylong drive

Police clear illegal shops and parking across the capital as the crackdown will continue until Apr 5

In a bid to restore public space, authorities have jailed 23 people on the first day of a citywide campaign to remove illegal shops and encroachments from footpaths and roads.

Authorities also collected fines totalling around Tk 192,000 during the daylong campaign on Wednesday.

The drive began after 10am across the capital.

While there was some resistance in places, no major untoward incidents were reported.

DMP Additional Commissioner (Traffic) Anisur Rahman told bdnews24.com, “There have been no major problems. People are cooperating. We will continue such drives with the support of Dhaka residents and keep footpaths free.”

The drive is set to continue until Apr 5, according to a traffic police statement issued on Tuesday.

It will span all eight traffic divisions, starting from Ramna and ending in Gulshan.

In a statement on Wednesday night, DMP said the drive involved clearing illegal shops from footpaths and roads, imposing fines, seizing goods, and taking legal action against violators.

According to the statement, 13 people were arrested in Lalbagh Division’s Kotwali area, including Goyalghat and Narinda, for violating the law.

Cases were filed under the Road Transport Act 2018, and goods were seized.

In Wari Division, illegal stores were removed along the Dholaipar to Jatrabari stretch and Shahid Faruk Sarani.

Seven traders were fined Tk 15,000, while others were warned.

In Ramna Division, footpaths from Moghbazar to Banglamotor were cleared.

Authorities filed 59 cases against illegally parked motorbikes and fined Tk 15,000 through mobile courts.

Goods equivalent to nearly three pickup loads were seized.

Mirpur Division reported clearing roads in Kazipara, Shewrapara and Bhashantek, fining six traders Tk 65,000.

In Motijheel Division, a drive from Nightingale intersection to Fakirapul kitchen market resulted in fines of about Tk 70,000 and the arrest of 10 people.

In Gulshan Division, around 50 shops were warned for illegal occupation, while fines totalling Tk 27,000 were imposed.

Similar drives were conducted in Uttara, Tejgaon and other divisions, where traders were warned and illegal goods removed.

Authorities have carried out similar eviction drives in the past, but many failed to sustain results, with footpaths returning to previous conditions within days.