The Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) launched the final day of its drive to clear footpaths of illegal encroachments across the capital on Sunday, 5 April.
During the operation in the bustling New Market area, a fast-food outlet was fined twenty thousand taka for allowing a refrigerator to extend merely one foot onto the pavement.
At around 11:45 a.m., the DMP’s Special Magistrate Imran Ahmed visited ‘Protyashi Hot Bread’, situated beneath the kitchen market in New Market. Observing that part of the shop’s refrigerator protruded beyond the demarcated boundary, he imposed the penalty on owner Md. Yusuf under the authority of a mobile magistrate court.
Md. Yusuf expressed his frustration, stating, “There are thousands of shops with similar encroachments. If every shop were fined twenty thousand taka, the government treasury would accumulate billions. In my case, only one foot of the fridge extended outside, yet this fine was imposed. Even after the operation, by evening, everyone will place their goods back on the footpath. What is the long-term benefit of such drives?”
Operation Overview
The enforcement sweep was not limited to Md. Yusuf’s shop. Beginning at 10:30 a.m., the operation extended from Science Lab to Nilkhet Mor, before moving towards Dhaka College via New Market.
During the raids, the authorities removed chairs, stalls, tools, and temporary canopies that vendors had set up on the footpath. While some shopkeepers preemptively removed their goods, items found during the operation were confiscated.
According to DMP sources, many establishments—including restaurants, vehicle repair workshops, welding factories, clothing and furniture shops—frequently occupy pavements and even parts of the roadway to conduct business. Examples include stoves, grills, kebab machines, tires, and furniture placed on pavements. Some workshops occupy entire lanes to repair vehicles.
These encroachments disrupt pedestrian movement, create safety hazards, and force pedestrians onto busy roads, worsening traffic congestion. In response, DMP Special Metropolitan and Executive Magistrates initiated a special enforcement drive on 1 April, culminating in the operations conducted today.
Fines and Confiscations Table
| Location/Area | Shop/Establishment | Violation | Fine (Taka) | Items Confiscated |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Market | Protyashi Hot Bread | Fridge extending onto pavement | 20,000 | None (fine imposed) |
| Science Lab → Nilkhet | Multiple vendors | Footpath encroachment | Varies | Chairs, stalls, tools, canopies |
| Dhaka College → New Market | Restaurants, workshops | Pavement occupation for business | Varies | Cooking equipment, furniture, vehicle parts |
The operation highlights the DMP’s continued commitment to enforcing footpath regulations, though concerns persist regarding the sustainability and practical impact of these drives.