Dhaka Metropolitan Police has launched a drive to clear illegal occupations from footpaths and roads to ease public movement in the capital.
The operation began after 10am on Wednesday in the Indira Road area of Farmgate and later expanded from Maghbazar intersection to Banglamotor.
The drive, led by a special metropolitan magistrate and deputy commissioner Tejgaon division, focused on evicting traders occupying walkways and warning others not to extend businesses into public spaces.
Judicial Magistrate Imran Ahmed said the aim is to ensure unhindered pedestrian movement. Authorities targeted shops, restaurants and workshops that had expanded operations onto footpaths and roads.
Officials removed shop extensions, temporary roadside stalls and motorcycles parked on pavements, and dismantled illegal roadside structures during the operation.
Dhaka Metropolitan Police Additional Commissioner Traffic Md Anisur Rahman said the drive covered eateries, vehicle repair workshops, welding units and clothing and furniture outlets.
He said the campaign, which started in Ramna Division, will be carried out in phases across the city and later extended to Gulshan Division.
Police said the drive is not aimed at general hawkers but targets traders who have set up permanent structures on public spaces. “Establishments using footpaths and roads to store cooking equipment, machinery or goods will be cleared,” said the Police Commissioner.
He added that there are plans to introduce holiday and night markets for hawkers in designated areas.
A press release said many workshops occupy roads for repairs, forcing pedestrians onto carriageways and increasing accident risks while causing traffic congestion.
Authorities have issued a final warning to those occupying public spaces illegally to remove their goods or face legal action through mobile courts.
