DSCC clears New Market footpaths and lines them with flower tubs, warns goods will be seized if encroachment returns
Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) has carried out an eviction and cleanliness drive to clear roads and footpaths in the capital’s New Market area. The drive was led on Saturday (31 October) afternoon by the corporation’s administrator, freedom fighter Md Abdus Salam.
During the operation, the main road and footpaths from Gate 1 of New Market, near the Nilket intersection, to Gate 4, near Chandrima Super Market, were cleared of encroachment. The main road from Priyangon Super Market to the Nilket intersection was also completely cleared, the DSCC said.
To stop illegal structures from returning to the cleared footpaths, tubs of flowers and ornamental plants have been placed there temporarily. The DSCC says the aim is both to prevent re-encroachment and to improve the look of the area.
Answering reporters’ questions during the drive, Administrator Md Abdus Salam said those concerned were being repeatedly requested not to run any business by occupying roads and footpaths. If anyone still sits on the road, their goods will be seized and strict legal action will be taken, he warned.
The administrator also called on local leaders to play a responsible role, saying their cooperation must ensure that no one can sit illegally on the road in any way.
Pointing to the importance of the New Market area, Abdus Salam said thousands of people come here from far away every day to shop. Keeping the whole area clean and ensuring normal public movement is therefore everyone’s responsibility, and public movement must not be obstructed under any circumstances.
On the demand to reduce the service charge under the hawker policy, the administrator said the demand raised by hawkers had already been conveyed to the Local Government Ministry. Once the ministry gives its decision, a list will be prepared accordingly, and no one outside that list will be allowed to sit anywhere.
He also called on local leaders, business organisations and people from all walks of life to cooperate with the DSCC’s work to ensure cleanliness, discipline and unhindered public movement in the area.
