DHAKA: Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader Thursday said eviction drives would be conducted from June 1 in a bid to keep city’s roads and footpaths clean for pedestrians.

The minister was addressing the board meeting of Dhaka Transport Coordination Authorities at Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) seminar room in city’s Gulistan area at 11:00am.

Obaidul said the eviction drives will start from June 1 under ‘Clean Dhaka Green Dhaka’ project in South Gulistan area and from July 1, the operation will begin in North Farmgate area.

The minister expected that after completing the program traffic congestion will be lessened.

DSCC Mayor Syed Khokon urged the ministry of Road Transport and Bridges to take stern action to clear the roads and footpaths of the city from illegal occupation.

In response of the urge, Obaidul said the hawkers of the footpaths should be not evicted before rehabilitation of them.

They must be evicted from the footpaths gradually after shifting them other places, he added.

Citing there are some hidden supports behind the occupiers, Dhaka North City Corporation Mayor Annisul Huq said, “We should first identify the powerhouse of the occupiers to evict them.”

He urged for coordinated efforts to face the mastermind of the grabbers.

Obaidul presided over the program where MPs Nurul Mazid Mahmud Humayan, Dr M Enamur Rahaman, Begum Sagufta Yasmin, Narayanganj City Corporation Mayor Selina Hayat Ivy, among others, were present at the meeting.

BDST: 1718 HRS, MAY 28, 2015
BD/RS/SMS