Staff Reporter:
The Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) has ordered the immediate removal of unauthorised shops, extensions, and commercial setups occupying pavements and roads in various parts of the capital.
In a notice issued on Monday, the DMP said many restaurants, workshops, and retail outlets have expanded their operations beyond their premises, obstructing footpaths and road space.
According to the notice, food establishments have been setting up cooking equipment such as burners, pots, grills, and kebab stations on sidewalks, while motor workshops are using pavements for tyre storage and vehicle repairs.
Welding shops, as well as furniture and clothing stores, have also been displaying goods and materials on public walkways.
The DMP said such encroachments are seriously disrupting pedestrian movement, forcing people onto roads and increasing the risk of accidents and traffic congestion.
Police authorities have urged all business owners to remove encroachments and materials from sidewalks and road spaces without delay.
It warned that from 1 April, mobile courts led by metropolitan and executive magistrates will conduct drives across the city. Violators may face imprisonment, fines, and confiscation of goods under relevant laws.
The notice also called for public cooperation in restoring free and safe pedestrian access throughout the city of Dhaka.
