DNCC vows to continue footpath clearing drives

Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) will continue its drives to reclaim occupied footpaths across the capital to ensure unhindered movement for pedestrians, said DNCC Administrator Shafiqul Islam Khan Milton on Saturday.

He said the drives would be conducted in phases in areas where footpaths have been illegally occupied, and action would also be taken against anyone attempting to reoccupy them.

Speaking at a programme, the DNCC administrator said the city corporation was working to build a modern and dependable urban authority while addressing obstructions on roads and pedestrian walkways.

He said some businesses and street vendors had occupied footpaths by setting up makeshift platforms, stalls and other structures, forcing pedestrians to use roads and creating significant inconvenience.

As part of the initiative, the DNCC recently cleared one of the city's heavily occupied stretches of footpath, from No. 10 to Hope Market, he said, adding that local residents had supported the operation.

Milton said residents had expressed strong support after the footpath was reclaimed. Some told him they had been unable to walk along the city's roads in that area properly for 13 to 20 years, he said.

“Footpath clearance operations will continue,” he said, adding that areas where pedestrian walkways remain occupied would be brought under the campaign gradually.

He also warned that the city corporation would carry out further eviction drives if anyone attempted to occupy reclaimed footpaths again.

Officials and employees involved in dengue prevention and waste management, including representatives from DNCC Zone-5, the regional executive office, the Red Crescent and BD Clean, attended the programme.

Local residents, political activists from different parties and journalists were also present.