Despite ongoing drive by the Barishal City Corporation (BCC) to free roads and footpaths from illegal encroachments across the city, a contrary scenario has emerged in the Chowmatha area. A row of illegal makeshift shops has been set up overnight by encroaching upon the road in front of the City Market near Government Syed Hatem Ali College along the Barishal-Dhaka Highway. This has been causing severe suffering to pedestrians and leading to persistent traffic congestion.
According to local sources, exploiting political identities, nearly a dozen street vendors placed their shops along the highway late Thursday night (October 8). Upon receiving the information, the eviction wing of the Barishal City Corporation conducted an inspection around 11:30 AM on Friday (October 9). During the visit, the officials issued a strict directive ordering the vendors to voluntarily remove the illegal structures within 48 hours.
However, during a spot inspection on Saturday (October 10) afternoon, the shops were still seen lined up in front of the City Market in defiance of the eviction notice, although they remained closed. Allegations have surfaced that these illegal shops were established overnight with the subtle backing of a section of dishonest BCC employees.
Meanwhile, the vendors claimed that they have been operating their businesses with valid permission from the city corporation. Md. Jalil Howlader, proprietor of 'Jalil Fruit Ghar', said, "We are conducting business following all regulations. BCC had previously recorded our names and compiled a list. This approval was granted during the tenure of former Barishal Divisional Commissioner and then BCC Administrator, Md. Raihan Kawser."
Echoing the same claim, Md. Omar Faruk, proprietor of 'Takrim Fruit Ghar', stated, "These shops were constructed according to specific dimensions and logos as previously instructed by the BCC, which is also documented in their records. We were issued tokens as well. How could we use the BCC logo on our carts without institutional approval? The entire process was legally completed during the tenure of former administrator Md. Raihan Kawser."
Addressing the matter, Md. Imran Hossain, an official from the BCC Eviction Wing, stated, "An executive magistrate from the BCC inspected the site on Friday and instructed the vendors to immediately remove their structures from the roadside."
He further added that if the illegal occupants fail to vacate the space voluntarily within the stipulated timeframe, a drive will be conducted on Sunday (October 11) to clear the road and footpaths under the direction of BCC Administrator Advocate Bilkis Akhtar Jahan Shirin.
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