Authorities have demolished nearly 1,000 illegal roadside shops in Sonargaon of Narayanganj as part of a coordinated drive to reduce traffic congestion along the Dhaka–Chattogram and Dhaka–Sylhet highways.

The eviction operation was carried out on Monday from morning until late afternoon through a joint initiative of the district and upazila administrations.

A mobile court supervised the drive, removing unauthorised structures that had encroached on both sides of the highway in the Kanchpur area.

The drive was led by Assistant Commissioner and Executive Magistrate Rashed Khan and Sonargaon Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Asif Al Zinnat.

Officials said the operation was conducted under the directive of the District Commissioner to ensure uninterrupted vehicular movement and enhance road safety in one of the region’s busiest transport corridors.

Speaking after the operation, Rashed Khan said the removal of illegal establishments was necessary to restore normal traffic flow and reduce public suffering caused by persistent congestion.

He added that similar drives would continue in the coming days in the greater public interest.