Brazen occupation of public space

Placement of heavy construction material on the intersection between Road 98 of Gulshan and the DCC market for more than two months now is yet another example of blatant encroachment on public spaces in the city. This paper has over the years highlighted how roads and pavements have been illegally taken over by small businesses including welding shops and what have you! It is pathetic enough to see a city of more than 15 million people having to contend not just with potholed and waterlogged roads, but also where busy thoroughfares have been intruded upon by construction companies and other business interests as though these are their private property.

In the particular case of Gulshan, not only the intersection has been left unusable by pedestrians but also vehicular movement has come to a standstill. Besides, these are like eyesores in the city landscape. Such irresponsible behaviour is made possible because of the nonchalance and lack of professionalism of city officials and the construction contractors taking advantage of the lack of official oversight.

It is of utmost importance that the authorities identify all the roads that have been encroached upon, including the pavements and get a move on to evict the illegal occupants of these public spaces. The Gulshan incident is a specific instance of violation of law. So, the eviction drive could begin from there and replicated wherever such wanton invasion of public spaces has taken place.