CHATTOGRAM, Mar 07: The footpaths of many important roads in the port city are being occupied illegally by hawkers from the first day of the Ramadan.
City dwellers said maximum footpaths have been turned into hawker markets during the Eid shopping, causing immense sufferings for commuters.
Nearly five feet of maximum roads in the city are being used as hawker markets, which make the roads smaller.
The prime roads of the port city Katgor to Bohaddar Haat, New Market to Chawkbazar to Bohadderhat, GEC point to Alonker point, Chattogram City to Chattogram University, New Market to Airport road are continuously congested by vehicles as most portions of roads are being occupied by illegal occupiers.
The new elevated expressway is used for going to the airport and Patenga area, but it is not used as per target due to imposed toll. So, the roads in the city are suffering from traffic jams every day.
Meanwhile, Chattogram City Corporation conducted a mobile court against the occupiers of footpaths and free some footpaths and roads from hawkers to ease traffic congestion.
The CCC evicted several thousands of illegal establishments, floating shops from the footpaths of the most busy area of the city at New Market and Station Road area in February last year. But, now the syndicates are occupying the footpaths again.
On the other hand, Chattogram Metropolitan Police (CMP) is using road dividers to control the traffic congestion which is also creating traffic jams as the vehicles have to run more distance to turn. Besides, police failed to resist the run of easy-bikes on the main roads which also created traffic jams during Ramadan.
Nobody can reach their destinations within the time due to the traffic jams. The main points of New Market, Station Road, GEC point, WASA point, Muradpur, Bohadderhat, Sholoshahar, Coukbazar, Chattogram College area, Jamal Khan road, Anderkillah, Agrabad, Barik Buildings, Fakirhat, Chattogram Port gate area, Pahartoli, Alonker point, Katgor Bazar, Steel Mills Bazar, CEPZ point, Saltgolla, Kotowli point, Karnaphuli Bridge area, Kalurghat area, Oxygen point, Chattogram University area, Kajirdewari, Lalkhan Bazar and other important points of the port city are the major spots for traffic jam.
Most of the areas of both sides of the roads are occupied by illegal occupiers.
Vendors, hawkers, shops, beggars and others continue to occupy the footpaths, making it an arduous task for pedestrians to walk merely 200 metres without any sort of interruption.
nazimuddinshyamol@gmail.com
