No shops allowed to occupy footpaths: Dhaka South administrator

No hawkers will be allowed to occupy roads or footpaths without permission, while shops will not be permitted to conduct business by illegally using footpaths in areas under Dhaka South City Corporation, Administrator Md Abdus Salam said today (27 August).

Regular monitoring and surprise eviction drives would continue in different parts of the capital to prevent illegal occupation, he said during a press briefing while overseeing a drive in front of the Anti-Corruption Commission office in Dhaka.

The administrator said problems involving hawkers, rickshaws and people living on the streets were particularly acute in south Dhaka, and the city corporation was trying to address them one by one.

"As part of this effort, drives are being conducted to keep footpaths and roads free from encroachment," he said.

Salam said today's drive was intended primarily to raise awareness rather than impose fines. "We also want people in other areas to become aware after seeing the drive."

He said keeping roads and footpaths clean and accessible was not solely the city corporation's responsibility and sought cooperation from residents.

More monitoring, surprise drives

Salam said stricter monitoring would continue against illegal occupation and that surprise drives would be conducted in different parts of the capital within the next few days.

He said joint inspections would also check whether businesses had valid trade licences, whether they faced difficulties in operating, whether waste was being properly cleared and whether electricity was being misused.

Asked whether other hotspots identified under the campaign would also face eviction drives, he said they would.

He said steps had been taken to address the hawker problem, including efforts to arrange designated locations for hawkers based on a prepared list.

Asked about the long-term impact of the measures, Salam said the initiative was still at an early stage. "The initiative is still in the short-term stage. Its benefits will become visible over time. People are becoming more aware than before, but more awareness is needed."

Monitoring after eviction

Asked whether the city corporation monitors areas after eviction drives to prevent shopkeepers and hawkers from returning, Salam said monitoring was in place, although law enforcement personnel could not be stationed at every location around the clock.

Regarding notices issued to shopkeepers, he said illegal occupants had not been removed without prior warning. "They have been warned for the past six months. Public notices have also been issued on the matter."

Those who continue to occupy roads and footpaths or conduct business in violation of the instructions would face legal action, he said.

"Cases will also be filed against illegal shop owners when necessary," the Dhaka South administrator added.

Babubazar parking fees suspended

Dhaka South City Corporation suspended parking fee collection at the newly built parking area under Babubazar Bridge in Ward 32 until further notice.

The suspension covers 28,051.12 square feet of open space divided into four blocks, A to D.

The decision followed a report published on Tuesday under the headline "Public extortion using City Corporation tokens in Babubazar," which, according to an office order, tarnished the city corporation's image, reports UNB.

The office order said no parking fee could be collected at the site during the suspension. It warned that legal action would be taken against anyone collecting fees in violation of the order.

A senior officer of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) traffic department, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the parking area would play a vital role in easing traffic congestion there.