Eviction on Dhaka city footpaths from July 1
Two city corporations of Dhaka will conduct small-scale eviction drives on footpaths at Gulistan and Farmgate on June 1 and 12 to reduce traffic congestion and ease movement of pedestrians, Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader announced yesterday.
He said they would first hold meetings with those involved with the occupying footpaths and then launch citywide eviction drives on July 1.
The decision came at a meeting of Dhaka Transport Coordination Authority (DTCA), chaired by the minister at Nagar Bhaban.
Mayor of Dhaka North City Corporation Annisul Huq told The Daily Star that they would not free the footpaths overnight but rather gradually.
Arrangements will be made to rehabilitate the evicted hawkers, he said.
He said the main goal was to curb traffic congestion.
The mayor also said the corporation would pull down all illegal billboards soon.
Speaking on waste management, Annisul Huq sought a list of empty lands of different departments including railway, Local Government Division, and Roads and Highway Department so that the lands could be used as parks, playgrounds or garbage transfer stations after their reclamation from grabbers.
The minister asked the authorities concerned to provide the lists of the lands to two mayors by the next 15 days.
Narayanganj city Mayor Selina Hayat Ivy and lawmaker Shagufta Yasmin also spoke.
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