In last two days, police evicted over 5,000 hawkers from different footpaths of Kotwali intersection, New Market, Reazuddin Bazar, Jamal Khan, Laldighirpar, KC Dey Road, Momin Road, Agrabad Sheikh Mujib Road, Airport Road and Chittagong Port area.

They also removed all illegal structures, shops, and construction materials piled up on footpaths, much to the relief of pedestrians.

Mobile vendors from in front of different city schools and colleges were also driven away.

"It's indeed a great relief for us to find such clean footpaths," said Dr Matiur Rahman Khan of Chittagong Medical College and Hospital.

The drive will continue until the footpaths are fully free from illegal structures, mobile vendors and makeshift shops, CMP sources said.