Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) Administrator Md Abdus Salam on Saturday warned that legal action would be taken and goods seized against those setting up illegal shops on roads and footpaths in the capital.
“The days of requests are over. From now on, cases will be filed directly, and goods seized if illegal shops are set up on roads and footpaths,” he said.
He made these remarks while speaking at a special mosquito control and cleanliness drive arranged by the DSCC to mark its weekly ‘Cleaning Day’.
The program was conducted simultaneously in all 75 wards under the city corporation.
The DSCC Administrator said illegal hawkers and makeshift shops were largely responsible for traffic congestion, indiscriminate waste dumping, and obstruction to pedestrian movement.
“There is no scope for occupying roads and footpaths in the name of humanitarian considerations. Legal action will be taken and goods seized if shops are set up outside the rules set by the DSCC,” he said.
Regarding the removal of illegal shops from roads and footpaths in the New Market area, he said another eviction drive would be conducted there next week.
He made it clear that hawkers would not be allowed to occupy roads under any circumstances.
Stressing the importance of cleanliness in preventing dengue, he said there is no alternative to maintaining cleanliness to control the mosquito-borne disease.
“Water must not be allowed to remain stagnant for more than three days anywhere,” he said.
He said awareness campaigns and rallies would continue alongside cleanliness drives to protect the capital’s environment, control air pollution, and ease traffic congestion.
Regarding the relocation of a secondary transfer station (STS) from in front of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) office in Malibagh, the administrator said it had been moved at the CID authorities’ request in the public interest, making way for parking facilities.
Construction of another STS to manage waste in the area is underway and is expected to be completed by the end of October, he added.
The cleanliness drive began at the CID office and passed through Shantinagar, Kakrail, and Naya paltan before ending at Fakirapool.
During the drive, the DSCC administrator inspected waste removal activities and the clearance of illegal shops.
Regular sanitation and mosquito control workers, along with local residents, took part in the daylong program. Loudspeaker announcements and awareness rallies were also held across the wards.