Dhaka, July 2 (UNB) – The government on Monday told the occupants of all illegal makeshift structures, including shops and arches to remove those from the streets of the capital within the next 24 hours, aiming to ease traffic congestion and ensure hazard-free footpaths for pedestrians.

The order came from a meeting on `Traffic Congestion`, held today at the conference room of the Local Government Division under the aegis of the Local Government Division with State Minister for LGRD and Cooperatives Jahangir Kabir Nanak in the chair.

Issuing a warning that if the owners of the illegal structures erected in city streets, footpaths and sidewalks do not comply with the order within the timeline, it said drives will begin soon to demolish the illegal structures.

The eviction drive will be jointly conducted by Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) and north and south Dhaka City Corporations (DCC).

The meeting also asked the political, business, charity and other organisations to remove their illegal offices from the city streets and sidewalks.

Local Government Division secretary Abu Alam M Shahid Khan and DMP commissioner Benazir Ahmed, among others, attended the meeting.