A Based, Panchagarh Correspondent: The Roads and Highways Department (RHD), in collaboration with the Panchagarh district administration, launched a day-long drive on Monday to remove illegally piled sand and stones from both sides of the Banglabandha-Tentulia-Panchagarh highway.

The mobile court operation began at 11 a.m. and was led by Assistant Commissioner (Land) and Executive Magistrate Mohammad Asif Ali, who fined nine traders a minimum of Tk 500 each for illegally conducting business by storing sand and stones along the highway, violating road safety regulations.

Sub-Divisional Engineer of RHD Panchagarh, Motahar Ali, along with officials from Tentulia Highway Police Station, assisted in the operation. During the drive, a vacuum cleaner was used to clear sand and stone piles along the 60-kilometer stretch of the highway, from Jagdal Bazar in Panchagarh Sadar to Banglabandha.

Addressing the traders and workers present, Magistrate Mohammad Asif Ali explained that under Section 37 of the Road Transport Act 2018, Section 82 stipulates fines ranging from Tk 500 to Tk 50,000 and even rigorous imprisonment for obstructing public roads with construction materials. “We are not here to punish, but to encourage change and compliance,” he said. “This time, we’re imposing the minimum fine, but any repeat offense will face harsher penalties.”

Speaking about the initiative, Motahar Ali of the Roads and Highways Department said, “This drive will continue to ease public suffering and ensure road safety with the active cooperation of the district administration.”

The campaign reflects a growing emphasis on maintaining public roadways and holding violators accountable to reduce road hazards and improve transport efficiency in the region.