CDA chair voices action against shops occupying footpaths

Chattogram Development Authority (CDA) Chairman Engineer Belayet Hossain voiced his aggravation regarding the illegal construction of shops that are encroaching upon footpaths and drains along the Oxygen-Quaish road in the city.

He stated that stringent measures will be implemented against those shops encroaching on footpaths and drains.

Engineer Belayet Hossain made these remarks while overseeing the renovation work of the Oxygen-Quaish road on Monday.

During this time, he issued immediate directives to the relevant officials to clear the encroachments on footpaths and drains.

The CDA chairman remarked that the CDA bears some responsibility for the misconduct of certain individuals.

“The pathways intended for water drainage from the road have been obstructed in various manners.

The proper drainage system is being disrupted as the entrance to the drain is clogged with waste,” he noted.

CDA sources indicated that at the outset of the inspection, the chairman instructed the removal of hundreds of temporary shops that had been established by occupying the footpath at the road’s entrance.

Addressing the encroachers, he stated that the four-lane road has been narrowed due to the encroachment of the footpath, which is causing significant traffic disruption.

He claimed that fruit, shoe, and clothing shops have been established along the footpath, with some permanent shop
owners collecting rent from these establishments.

Engineer Belayet Hossain also noted that drains have been constructed in various locations, effectively transforming them into parts of shops.

Consequently, access for cleaning and maintaining the drains has been obstructed. This has led to an increase in waterlogging and public distress.

Following the inspection, the chairman instructed the CDA’s chief engineer and secretary to remove the encroachments on the drains and to expedite their restoration.

Simultaneously, he called for the demolition of illegal structures and the installation of new slabs on the drains.

During the inspection, the CDA chairman also evaluated the quality of the construction materials used in the renovation work and provided directives to ensure the quality of the project.

Subsequently, he visited the Ananya residential area and announced plans to install an aesthetically pleasing water fountain at the Kuaish end.