Mayor bans use of roads, sidewalks for business

Chattogram Bureau :

To protect the beauty of the city and avoid citizen suffering, Chattogram City Corporation Mayor Dr. Shahadat Hossain has warned that businesses will not be allowed to occupy roads and sidewalks.

He gave this warning while inaugurating a beautification program to install flower tubs and prevent road encroachment next to the hotel beach adjacent to the old railway station in the city on Tuesday (August 19). The mayor said that shopkeepers can keep their products inside the shops. But they have also occupied the sidewalks and roads.

I have been observing this for several days. I had been here once before. I saw that they occupy all the fruits – jackfruit, mango, palm, whatever is available, half of the road. Due to which there is traffic jam here. The movement of pedestrians is disrupted. Domestic and foreign guests who come to Chattogram by rail first enter the city through Station Road.

This raises questions about the image of Chattogram. Therefore, it is important to keep this place beautiful and orderly. Addressing the shopkeepers, the mayor said, “No shopkeeper will be able to display fruits or products on the sidewalk.

All products must be kept inside the shop. Loading and unloading work must be completed between 11 pm and 9 am. During this time, the shopkeepers will keep the plant tubs aside, and after the work is done, they must be placed again properly.

We will gradually identify each spot and free the sidewalks and roads from encroachment. Planting trees has already started in the areas that have been cleared. The entire city will be gradually brought under greening. We have also achieved 50-60 percent progress in reducing waterlogging. Next year, citizens will get better results from this.

He said that Secondary Transfer Stations (STS) will be set up at 12 places where garbage is lying openly, including the area behind Katalganj and BiplobUdyan. The city will be kept clean and attractive through covered STS, and activities are progressing rapidly with Japanese and Korean companies to set up waste-to-energy plants. If implemented, it will bring about a revolutionary change in waste management in Chattogram.

In response to journalists’ questions regarding the mosquito control program, the mayor said, “Drugs are being sprayed every day through fogger machines. However, if the same drug is used for a long time, mosquitoes develop resistance.

That is why we are changing the drugs regularly. Recently, a new drug developed by a research center in Chicago has been brought in. It has already been experimentally applied in several areas including Kotwali, Halishahar and Bayezid and good results have been obtained.

It will soon be implemented throughout the city.” At that time, urban planner Abdullah Al Omar, slum development officer Moinul Hossain Ali Joy, personal assistant to the mayor MarufulHaque Chowdhury (Maruf), Ziaur Rahman Zia, hawker leader Abdul Baten, Jasim Mia, Jasim Uddin and others were present.