The capital's footpaths could not be freed from illegal occupiers as they get backing from influential quarters, and law enforcers are not sincere enough, according to LGRD Minister Syed Ashraful Islam.

State Minister for LGRD Moshiur Rahman Ranga was replying to lawmakers' queries in parliament on behalf of the minister yesterday.

The city corporation authorities have been trying relentlessly to free footpaths from illegal grabbers in their respective areas, said the minister's scripted reply.

The two city corporations are also conducting mobile courts on regular basis to evict illegal occupants from footpaths so that pedestrians can move without any obstruction, added the minister.