DSCC reclaims land of illegal truck stand

Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) authorities reclaimed around 50 decimals of public land after evicting an over three-decade old illegal truck stand at Janopath intersection in Sayedabad yesterday.

"It was our second attempt yesterday which became successful in ending the decades-old illegal occupation of the public land,” said Khalid Ahmed, chief estate officer of the city corporation, who conducted the drive. 

Drug peddling and anti-social activities had been going on there for a long time, he said. 

The land was occupied with scores of goods-carrying trucks, around 30 concrete and semi-concrete structures housing small businesses and truck owners' and workers' union offices, he said. 

Immediately after the eviction, the city corporation started construction of boundary walls with the help of police.

Replying to a query, Khalid said the truckers could use the truck stand in Sayedabad. 

When he was asked what they were going to do with the reclaimed land, he said it would be developed for markets or some other establishments of the city corporation.

Over a month ago, a similar attempt was foiled by transport workers and owners backed by local ward councillor Kazi Habibur Rahman, said Khalid.      

The local government ministry later suspended the councillor on the allegation of obstructing the city corporation's eviction drive, he said.  

The eviction was carried out as part of an ongoing drive of the local government body of south Dhaka.