Photo: BSS

CHATTOGRAM, June 22, 2026 (BSS) - Chattogram Development Authority (CDA) 
Chairman Engineer Belayet Hossain has voiced his frustration regarding the 
unlawful construction of shops that are encroaching upon footpaths and drains 
along the Oxygen-Quaish road in the city. 

He stated that stringent measures will be implemented against those shops 
encroaching on footpaths and drains. Engineer Belayet Hossain made these 
remarks while overseeing the renovation work of the Oxygen-Quaish road on 
Monday. 

During this time, he issued immediate directives to the relevant officials to 
clear the encroachments on footpaths and drains. 

The CDA chairman remarked that the CDA bears some responsibility for the 
misconduct of certain individuals. "The pathways intended for water drainage 
from the road have been obstructed in various manners. The proper drainage 
system is being disrupted as the entrance to the drain is clogged with 
waste," he noted. 
 
CDA sources indicated that at the outset of the inspection, the chairman 
instructed the removal of hundreds of temporary shops that had been 
established by occupying the footpath at the road's entrance.

Addressing the encroachers, he stated that the four-lane road has been 
narrowed due to the encroachment of the footpath, which is causing 
significant traffic disruption. He claimed that fruit, shoe, and clothing 
shops have been established along the footpath, with some permanent shop 
owners collecting rent from these establishments. 
 
Engineer Belayet Hossain also noted that drains have been constructed in 
various locations, effectively transforming them into parts of shops. 
Consequently, access for cleaning and maintaining the drains has been 
obstructed. This has led to an increase in waterlogging and public distress. 
 
Following the inspection, the chairman instructed the CDA's chief engineer 
and secretary to remove the encroachments on the drains and to expedite their 
restoration. Simultaneously, he called for the demolition of illegal 
structures and the installation of new slabs on the drains. 

During the inspection, the CDA chairman also evaluated the quality of the 
construction materials used in the renovation work and provided directives to 
ensure the quality of the project. 

Subsequently, he visited the Ananya residential area and announced plans to 
install an aesthetically pleasing water fountain at the Kuaish end.