Tejgaon roads again turn into truck-stand

Truck drivers are frequently parking their vehicles on the road from Sat Rasta Square to Tejgaon rail-crossing in the capital, while traffic police members are constantly removing those vehicles from the road.

The road is again occupied by the truck drivers after sudden death of Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) Mayor Annisul Huq. He led the recovery drive of the road from encroachment one and a half years back.

The 'hide-and-seek' game was visible during two visits in the areas on Sunday. Trucks, covered vans, pick-ups and other similar transports were seen parked on the road in the morning, while the road was found empty in the afternoon.

On-duty assistant town sub-inspector (ATSI) of Dhaka North Traffic Police Md Abul Kalam Azad said they have cleared the road in the afternoon.

He said the situation is not new. It always happens on this road due to scarcity of parking place in Tejgaon truck-stand.

"Whenever the drivers park the vehicles on the road, the on-duty police forces clear the area, it is a regular practice," he added.

He also ruled out any connection between reoccupation of the road and Mayor Annisul Huq's death.

In November 2015, DNCC evicted illegal parking spaces from different parts of Tejgaon area. The drive facilitated traffic movement and reduced traffic jam.

According to Bangladesh Trucks and Covered Vans Owners Association, at least 7,000 trucks of different sizes run on the streets through Tejgaon industrial area and the adjacent localities.

But only 1,500 trucks can be placed in Tejgaon truck-stand, while the rest of the vehicles are forced to park on the roads.

It is alleged that workers' union leaders with the help of some local politicians and police officials are again parking their trucks on the road. Transport workers and leaders are using the road as a temporary truck-stand by paying bribes to the law-enforcers.

The truck drivers alleged that whenever drivers park their trucks out of the truck-stand, they have to pay Tk 3,000-4,000 per month for each truck.

The road from Sat Rasta Square to Tejgaon rail-crossing is cleared, but hundreds of trucks have been parked on the roads near land office, BG Press staff quarter, CSD godown, CSD gate up to old FDC Road in Tejgaon area.

Not only parking, but these roads are regularly used for repairing trucks also. As a result, people of the area are facing troubles in using the roads.

Local residents also complained about incidents of mugging at night. As a result, the roads there have become unsuitable for pedestrians' movement.

When asked, Asad ullah, a leader of Bangladesh Trucks and Covered Vans Owners Association, said they have no other way but to use the roads as truck-stand.

He urged the government to build a bigger truck-stand anywhere in the capital to accommodate parking of 7,000-8,000 trucks, covered vans and similar vehicles.

Noman Hossain, a roadside shop-keeper, said the reoccupation has not happened only for the death of Annisul Huq. It is a regular practice.

"Sometimes traffic policemen drive the vehicles away. But, most of the times they remain silent," he added.

When contacted, local Awami League leader Md Shafiulla, who is allegedly behind the occupation, said it is not true that the road is again occupied for parking.

"We'll remain vigilant, and won't let it happen. If the road is again occupied, we'll take measures," he added.

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