Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) has imposed fines worth Tk 1.92 lakh and sentenced 23 people to different terms of imprisonment during a coordinated eviction drive to free roads and footpaths from illegal occupation across the capital.
The daylong special drives, conducted on Wednesday simultaneously in different parts of the capital.
The drives were conducted from 10 am on both sides of roads in different areas including Moghbazar rail crossing area to Banglamotor area, Phulbaria Bus Stand-Bakshibazar to Chakharpool, Nightingle Intersection to Arambagh.
Besides, Dholaipar to Jatrabari and Faruk Sarani, Indira Road, Green Road, Ananda Cinema Hall, Bashundhara and KarwanBazar area, Kazipara, Shewrapara, Taltala, Bhashantek and Mirpur-14 and BNS Centre to House Building North Tower and Kakoli Outgoing.
The drive will continue till April 5 at different locations, said Arifa Akhter Preeti, Assistant Police Commissioner of the Media and Public Relations Division of DMP.
During the drive, police removed illegal shops, extensions from roads and footpaths, imposing fines, seizing goods and taking legal action against violators.
According to the Traffic Lalbagh Division, 13 people were arrested during a drive in the Goaalghat-Narinda area under Kotwali Traffic Zone for violating the law.
Cases were filed under the Road Transport Act-2018 and goods were seized.
The Traffic Wari Division conducted a special drive from Dholairpar to Jatrabari intersection and along Shaheed Faruk Sarani, evicting illegally set-up shops. Seven traders were fined a total of Tk 15,000, while others were warned.
In the Traffic Ramna Division, a drive from Moghbazar intersection to Banglamotor signal cleared footpaths.
Authorities filed 49 video cases and 10 on-the-spot cases against illegally parked motorcycles. A mobile court also fined Tk 15,000 and seized goods equivalent to nearly three pickup loads.
The Traffic Mirpur Division carried out operations in Kazipara, Shewrapara and Bhashantek areas under Pallabi Zone, imposing fines of Tk 65,000 to six traders and clearing encroached roads.
According to the Traffic Motijheel Division, a drive from Nightingale intersection to Fakirapool kitchen market resulted in the collection of around Tk 70,000 in fines and the arrest of 10 people.
In the Traffic Tejgaon Division, operations were conducted in the Indira Road area to remove illegally placed goods from roads and footpaths and traders were given necessary instructions.
The Traffic Gulshan Division warned around 50 shops for illegally occupying footpaths and fined offenders Tk 27,000.
Meanwhile, the Traffic Uttara Division issued verbal warnings to shopkeepers for illegal occupation of footpaths.
DMP said such drives will continue to ensure smooth movement of the public and maintain discipline on the roads.