Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) authorities led by Mayor Atiqul Islam on Wednesday conducted a drive to free the roads adjacent to Tejgaon Truck Stand from the illegal parking by trucks.
During the drive, the DNCC mayor alleged that despite several drives conducted to free the roads from illegal parking of trucks and covered vans, the owners of trucks and covered vans were found to be disobeying the laws.
Mayor Atiqul Islam also alleged that truck and covered van owners are playing hide-and-seek game like ‘Tom and Jerry with the DNCC authorities’.
Witnesses said Atiqul arrived in TejgaonTruck Stand area around 11 am and the truck owners cleared the road, which was occupied with vehicles on both sides just before his arrival. Several trucks were parked outside the Truck Malik Samity office at the time. The law enforcers then removed the vehicles.
But, the vehicle owners further occupied the roads with trucks and covered vans immediate after the DNCC officials left the place.
In this circumstance, the mayor reiterated his call for truck owners to stop parking their vehicles on the road.
In reply, the truck owners said they do not have the necessary space to park their vehicles, and urged the mayor to solve the problem.
Atiqul said he will listen to the truck owners' concerns once they clear the road.
“The road was freed up during our visit, but it will be occupied again once we leave. The trucks on the road cause traffic and sufferings to the people,” he said.
“The city corporation authorities have made a separate lane for rickshaws to solve the crisis. Police will make sure that trucks will not occupy the lane as well. A committee has also been formed to maintain order on the road.”
Atiqul’s predecessor Annisul Huq was the first Dhaka mayor to free the place occupied illegally, but the place wore the same previous look after his demise.