Illegal Structures
Over 100 removed in capital
Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) yesterday in a drive demolished more than a hundred illegal structures in the city's Gabtoli and Mohammadpur areas.
Two teams led by executive magistrates Kazi Shafiqul Alam and Sheikh Kamal Hossain conducted the drives from 10:30am to 2:00pm and demolished illegal bus-ticket counters, footpath eateries, billboards, banners, makeshift shops and hawkers.
Shafiqul told this correspondent that they launched the eviction drive in different parts of Gabtoli area with the assistance of police.
Another team assisted by the police conducted a drive in Saat Masjid Road, Town Hall kitchen market and Azam Road of Mohammadpur area and removed billboards, banners, and demolished some other illegal structures, said DNCC Executive Magistrate Kamal.
The owners of the demolished structures alleged that the DNCC did not give them time to remove their possessions before the eviction.
However, Shafiqul said the illegal owners were informed of the eviction earlier.
In a bid to keep city footpaths free for public movement and ease traffic congestion on the streets, the LGRD ministry on Monday strictly directed the authorities concerned to remove all illegal roadside establishments including the offices of different political and social organisations, temporary "mango fair" stalls and banners-festoons within 12 noon on Tuesday.
Earlier, drives were conducted in different areas including Farmgate, Mohakhali, Gulshan-1, Gulshan-2, Chankharpool, Motijheel, Fakirer Pool and New Market.
Despite the ultimatum, many occupiers of the footpaths have been reluctant to dismantle or shift the illegal structures, mainly political offices, in many areas of the city. Yet yesterday, many mango stalls, and large banners and festoons -- mainly carrying political message -- were visible in different areas.
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