Authorities removed more than 100 illegal structures from the Dhaka–Chattogram highway at Padua Bazar in Cumilla to ease traffic congestion ahead of Eid travel.
The eviction drive was conducted on Sunday through a joint operation by the Roads and Highways Department, Bangladesh Road Transport Authority, Cumilla City Corporation, Sadar Dakshin Upazila administration and the district administration.
Roadside shops, mobile businesses and bus counters occupying both sides of the highway and nearby footpaths at Padua Bazar Bishwaroad were demolished during the operation.
Officials said the structures had been causing severe congestion and inconvenience for commuters using the busy corridor.
Sadar Dakshin Upazila Executive Officer and Executive Magistrate Sujan Chandra Roy led the drive.
Padua Bazar has long remained one of the most traffic-prone areas along the highway, Roy said, adding that congestion tends to intensify during Eid when large numbers of people travel from Dhaka to their hometowns.
The eviction of illegal establishments occupying roads and footpaths was carried out jointly by the district administration, Roads and Highways Department and Bangladesh Road Transport Authority to reduce disruption for travellers, he said.
Roy said the drive was expected to improve traffic flow and make journeys more comfortable for homebound passengers during Eid.
Cumilla Roads and Highways Department Sub-Divisional Engineer Mohammad Adnan Ibne Hasan and Bangladesh Road Transport Authority Cumilla Assistant Director Md Faruk Alam attended the operation along with officials from several other government agencies.
