Illegal structures cleared from footpaths in Satkania

A joint drive was carried out by the upazila administration and the army to remove illegal structures from footpaths in Chattogram's Satkania on Wednesday.

As an initiative in response to the complaints from local residents, the operation started at 9:00am in Keranihat area of the upazila in presence of Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Milton Biswas, Assistant Commissioner (Land) Farishta Karim and a team of Bangladesh Aramy. 

With assistance from the student representatives from the Anti-Discrimination Movement, local leaders of the National Citizens' Party, and conscious members of the community, makeshift shops, sheds, and other structures built on both sides of the Keranihat market were demolished. Police and Ansar members also took part in the drive to maintain law and order.

UNO Milton Biswas said, "It has become necessary to free the footpaths for smooth movement of people. Though shopkeepers were warned several times, they didn't pay heed to this. For this reason, the operation has been conducted."

Welcoming the move, pedestrian Abul Kashem said, "There was no place to walk on the footpath for a long time. The administration has finally taken the right step. Hopefully, this will continue."

Captain Parvez, leading the army team, said, "For a long time, temporary shops were set up illegally on footpaths under the shelter of different political parties in exchange for money. As a result, constant traffic congestion causes immense public sufferings. One week ago, we made public announcements giving the occupiers a week to voluntarily remove their illegal structures and shops, but they ignored the directive. Finally, we have conducted the eviction drive." 

To mention, Keranihat is one of the major commercial centers of South Chattogram. As the area is located on the Chattogram-Cox's Bazar highway, the footpaths became severely congested due to thousands of vehicles, people, and shoppers using the area daily, resulting in extreme public suffering.

>>A U Masud, Satkania, Ctg