DNCC auctions off materials kept on roads, footpaths

Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) yesterday started a drive against construction materials kept illegally on footpaths and roads, creating obstacles to pedestrian movement.

Mayor Atiqul Islam inaugurated the drive at Road-86 in Gulshan in the morning. Many of the construction materials were seized by DNCC officials and auctioned off in front of him. The drive started simultaneously across the DNCC areas.

DNCC held 32 auctions and realised Tk 13.08 lakh and fined Tk 6.45 lakh during the drive. The mobile courts of DNCC also evicted 200 illegal structures from  footpaths.

"No one will be spared if they keep such construction materials on footpaths, no matter how influential they are, said the mayor.

During the drive, he also visited roads 86, 87 and 67 in Gulshan and Road-15 in Banani.

"We earlier warned city dwellers not to keep any construction material on footpath but they did not pay any heed. This is why we are now conducting this drive at all 10 zones simultaneously," said the mayor.

He said roads and footpaths are being damaged due to bricks, sand, rods kept there illegally.

"I have told all officials of the city if they find anything on footpaths and roads, they will auction those immediately as per law," he said.

The mayor said they will continue their drive once every week.

About illegal billboards, the mayor said there are many signboards and billboards across the city and they are not taking any permission from the city corporation. If anyone wants to set up a signboard, he/she will have to provide a certain amount of fee for this, he said.

"We will demolish all kinds of illegal billboards from September 14," he said.