Congestion forms for occupation of footpaths by hawkers

CHATTOGRAM, Mar 25: Footpaths and parts of roads, particularly main roads in the port city of Chattogram, are being occupied again by hawkers after their eviction, causing intractable congestion.

The Chattogram City Corporation (CCC) evicted hawkers at New Market and Station Road area on February 08.

The CCC mobile courts also dismantled hundreds of floating shops and illegal establishments during the mobile court operation the same day.

Regional executive officer and CCC executive magistrate Rezaul Karim said the CCC conducted the drive to make the footpaths free from illegal occupiers.

Police seized huge floating shops, tables, chairs and boxes.

"Several hundred illegal shops and establishments were evicted in the drive," said Mr Karim, adding: "After evacuation, the area will be kept under surveillance so that it's not occupied again."

However, the hawkers occupied footpaths in the new market area as well as other areas of the city during the month of Ramadan again. The main roads of the city have become thinner for illegally occupying footpaths as well as roadside areas by hawkers.

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