Tejgaon road declared free of illegal parking

The Dhaka north mayor at a public rally yesterday formally declared the Tejgaon road connecting Satrasta and Karwan Bazar free of illegal occupation for unhindered public movement about a fortnight after a decisive eviction drive. 

"Three years back, I saw a young would-be mother groaning in labour pain being stuck in the impassable narrow passage of this road crammed with illegally parked trucks and lorries, while her mother was helplessly imploring everyone to give a passage," said Annisul Huq.   

The mayor said it would take one or two years to find a convenient place to set up a permanent truck terminal in the capital, and the temporary truck stand would stay in Tejgaon until then.

Dhaka North City Corporation organised the rally on the free road, which was attended by ruling party supporters, transport owners and workers, to formally declare the Tejgaon road, Tejgaon industrial area, and Mohakhali bus terminal free of illegal parking.

It is possible to build a clean Dhaka if the authorities wish, said ruling Awami League lawmaker Muhammad Faruk Khan.

"We all want a clean Dhaka city free of traffic congestion," said Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan.

 On November 29, several hundred transport workers went berserk and fought pitched battles with police when illegally parked trucks were removed from the Tejgaon road.

Annisul Huq himself led the drive to free the spacious road.