Shahjahan Ali Manon, Nilphamari District Representative:
A drive has been launched to clear the encroachment of the sidewalks on the main roads of Saidpur, Nilphamari, one of the busiest and prosperous cities of North Bengal. Along with the municipal administrator, political and business leaders, police administration and students and the public jointly participated in it.
The drive led by Municipal Administrator and Upazila Executive Officer Nur-e-Alam Siddiqui was attended by, among others, Additional Superintendent of Police of Syedpur Circle AKM Ohidunnabi, Officer-in-Charge of Syedpur Police Station Md. Faim Uddin, City and Vehicle Inspectors (TI) of Traffic Department Md. Mahfuzar Alam and Zakir Hossain, Traffic Sergeant Sadequr Rahman Sujan, President of Syedpur Business Association Altaf Hossain, Babul Hossain Sarkar, General Secretary of Syedpur Political District BNP Md. Shahin Akhter Shahin, one of the leaders of BNP Shawkat Hayat Shah, Ameer Hafez Maulana Md. Abdul Muntakim of Jamaat-e-Islami Syedpur Upazila branch, Municipal Ameer Md. Sharfuddin Khan, former Municipal Councilor Abdul Khalek Sabu, Business leader Abdur Razzak, Alhaj Md. Badshah Mia, Alhaj Md. Golzar Hossain, Rezaul Karim Reju, Alhaj Md. Majidul Islam Mandal, businessmen, and municipal officials and employees were present.
The operation was started from the Panchmatha More police box on Sunday (February 2) at 12 noon. Later, the operation team conducted activities on Shaheed Dr. Shamsul Haque Road, Shaheed Dr. Zikarul Haque Road, Shaheed Tulshiram Road. During this time, all the products of the shops on the sidewalks and roads were removed, and temporary mobile shops and vehicle stands were demolished. Along with this, shopkeepers and vehicle drivers were warned not to do such things on the sidewalks again in the future. Otherwise, legal action will be taken. In addition, permanent barricades have been constructed at the entrances of the roads to stop the entry of heavy vehicles into the city during the day.
Meanwhile, the residents of the municipality congratulated the concerned for conducting such a drive on behalf of the municipality. However, everyone commented that everyone needs to be vigilant to get the benefits of the drive. Otherwise, they feared that the traffic congestion in Saidpur would return to its previous state.
It is worth mentioning that Syedpur is the eighth largest commercial city in the country. This city is located in the middle of the very busy Rangpur division. Shopkeepers on both sides of the main roads here have occupied the roads and sidewalks in front of their shops and set up illegal stalls, creating extreme hardship for the movement of vehicles and people. As a result, there is a massive traffic jam day and night.
To resolve this traffic jam, the Saidpur Municipality issued a public notice banning the movement of heavy vehicles during the day, including clearing the sidewalks. This public notice was issued in the city through microphones from January 28 to January 31. The ban has been implemented from Sunday (February 02).
Saidpur Municipality Administrator and Upazila Executive Officer (UNO) Md. Nur-e-Alam
Siddiqui said that their campaign will continue to clear the sidewalks of encroachments to resolve the city's terrible traffic congestion. (Photo available)
Shahjahan Ali Manon
Nilphamari District Representative
