Over 200 Roadside Shops Removed in Chhagalnaiya

More than 200 roadside shops built illegally along both sides of the old Dhaka–Chattogram Highway in Chhagalnaiya, Feni, have been demolished during a joint eviction drive carried out by the উপজেলা প্রশাসন (Upazila Administration) and the Feni Roads and Highways Department. The operation, however, has sparked complaints from affected traders, who claim they were not given formal notice before their businesses were removed.

The eviction was conducted on Monday (20 July) under the supervision of Assistant Commissioner (Land) Omar Faruk. According to local administration officials, the operation formed part of an ongoing road widening project on the old Dhaka–Chattogram Highway. Authorities said a large number of makeshift shops had been erected on road reserves, drains and footpaths, obstructing construction work and contributing to persistent traffic congestion in the busy municipal area.

Officials added that the encroachments had increasingly affected both motorists and pedestrians, narrowing the carriageway and reducing road safety. They argued that clearing the occupied land was necessary to facilitate the infrastructure project and improve the overall flow of traffic.

The operation has nevertheless drawn criticism from traders who say their livelihoods have been severely disrupted. Many of those operating the roadside businesses said they had been trading from temporary structures for years and relied on the income to support their families.

Fruit trader Abdu Salam said he had been running a roadside stall for a long time and had obtained a municipal trade licence while also paying taxes to the local market committee. He alleged that the authorities demolished his shop, along with his stock, without issuing any written notice beforehand.

Another trader, Abu Taher, who sells fresh produce, echoed the same concern. He claimed that officials arrived without prior warning and dismantled the shops while goods were still inside, leaving many business owners facing significant financial losses.

Responding to the allegations, municipal Executive Officer Tajel Hossain Haldar said the administration had announced the planned eviction through public loudspeaker announcements on Sunday evening, acting on the instructions of the Upazila Nirbahi Officer. The administration maintains that local residents and traders were informed in advance through the public announcement system.

Assistant Commissioner (Land) Omar Faruk defended the action, stating that traders had occupied sections of the road, drainage network and footpaths within the municipal area for an extended period. He said these encroachments had hindered public movement and disrupted vehicular traffic, making the eviction necessary in the wider public interest.

Road reserve land is legally protected for transport infrastructure and public use. Encroachment on such land has become a recurring challenge in many parts of Bangladesh, often complicating road development projects and increasing traffic congestion. While eviction drives are regularly undertaken to recover public land, they frequently generate disputes over advance notification, compensation and the impact on the livelihoods of small-scale traders.

The latest operation in Chhagalnaiya reflects this continuing tension between infrastructure development and the economic realities faced by informal roadside businesses. While the authorities insist the clearance was essential to complete the road expansion and improve public convenience, affected traders continue to demand greater transparency and sufficient notice before similar actions are carried out in the future.