A coordinated eviction drive was conducted on Tuesday morning at the Uttara North and Uttara Centre stations of the Dhaka Metro Rail network, targeting illegal street vendors and unauthorised makeshift shops operating beneath the station premises.
The operation, carried out between approximately 10:30am and 12:00pm, resulted in the removal of all temporary stalls and informal trading structures that had gradually developed in and around the station undercroft areas. Authorities stated that the initiative was undertaken to restore order, ensure commuter safety, and maintain the operational discipline of the metro rail environment.
The drive was executed under the directive of the Managing Director of the Dhaka Mass Transit Company Limited (DMTCL), who also serves as a senior government secretary. The enforcement action was supervised by three executive magistrates appointed by the organisation, who coordinated on-site operations and ensured compliance throughout the process.
During the eviction, vendors operating in the restricted zones were instructed to immediately vacate the area. They were also issued strict warnings not to re-establish any form of informal or unauthorised commercial activity beneath or around metro rail infrastructure in the future. According to officials present, the affected individuals provided written or verbal assurances that they would refrain from repeating such activities.
In addition to clearing illegal stalls, the authorities emphasised environmental discipline in the surrounding area. Permanent shopkeepers adjacent to the station were directed to dispose of waste only in designated bins and to avoid contributing to littering or obstructing pedestrian movement. Officials noted that maintaining cleanliness and ensuring an orderly public space remains a key priority for metro rail operations.
A range of security and law enforcement personnel supported the operation, including members of the police, metro rail security forces, and auxiliary units responsible for crowd control and public safety. Their presence ensured that the eviction process was carried out peacefully without reported incidents of resistance or disruption.
Operational Summary
Category
Details
Location
Uttara North & Uttara Centre Metro Stations
Time
10:30am – 12:00pm
Authority
Dhaka Mass Transit Company Limited (DMTCL)
Leadership
Executive magistrates under senior management directive
Action Taken
Removal of illegal vendors and makeshift shops
Enforcement Support
Police, MRT security, Ansar personnel
Outcome
Area cleared; vendors warned and dispersed
Officials indicated that such drives may continue periodically as part of broader efforts to preserve the safety, accessibility, and aesthetic standards of metro rail infrastructure. The emphasis, they added, is on preventing encroachment that could disrupt passenger movement or compromise the intended use of station premises.
The operation reflects ongoing attempts by city authorities to balance urban livelihoods with regulatory compliance, particularly in high-traffic public transport zones where informal trade has increasingly posed challenges to orderly management.
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