Dhaka Launches Week-Long Drive Against Street Encroachments

The Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Traffic Division is set to launch a comprehensive week-long enforcement drive targeting illegal shops and unauthorised extensions occupying roads and footpaths across the capital. The operation will begin on Wednesday and continue until Sunday, aiming to restore pedestrian access and ease vehicular congestion in some of the city’s busiest corridors.

According to a press release issued by DMP on Tuesday night, the initiative has been approved under the signature of the DMP Commissioner. Special Metropolitan Magistrates and Executive Magistrates will conduct mobile court operations throughout the campaign period, taking legal action against owners and operators of roadside establishments found encroaching on public space.

The drive will cover a wide range of commercial entities, including roadside restaurants, vehicle repair workshops, welding shops, garment outlets, furniture stores and other businesses operating along major streets and sidewalks. Authorities stated that the focus will be on removing illegal structures, extensions and temporary setups that obstruct traffic flow and pedestrian movement.

DMP has divided its operational zones into eight traffic divisions—Ramna, Lalbagh, Motijheel, Wari, Tejgaon, Mirpur, Uttara and Gulshan—each assigned specific areas for enforcement on designated days.

Schedule of Operation by Traffic Division

Officials have stated that the operation is part of a broader effort to reclaim public spaces in Dhaka, where unchecked roadside commercial activity has significantly contributed to traffic congestion, pedestrian hazards and reduced road safety.

The DMP further noted that many businesses operating along major roads have extended their physical structures onto pavements and carriageways, often without permission. These encroachments, authorities argue, not only obstruct traffic movement but also create serious safety risks for pedestrians, particularly in densely populated commercial zones.

Senior officials emphasised that the mobile court system will ensure immediate legal action against violators, including fines and removal of illegal installations on the spot. Repeated offenders may face stricter penalties under municipal and traffic regulations.

The campaign will pause on Friday but resume on Saturday before concluding on Sunday with operations across key commercial and transport hubs in central Dhaka.

Authorities have urged business owners to voluntarily remove unauthorised structures before the drive begins, warning that no leniency will be shown during enforcement. The DMP also called on citizens to cooperate with law enforcement agencies to ensure smoother traffic flow and safer pedestrian movement throughout the city.

Officials described the initiative as part of an ongoing commitment to restore discipline on Dhaka’s roads and footpaths, which have long been affected by rapid urbanisation, unregulated commercial expansion and chronic space shortages.