Making sidewalks hawker-free

Most of the pavements of Dhaka city had become hawker-free few months back, following frequent eviction drives by City Corporation officials. Very recently, hawkers have reappeared, encroaching parts of busy footpaths in Nilkhet, New Market area, Kataban, Shahbag, Gulistan, Fakirapul, Naya Paltan, Malibag, Motijheel and other areas of the city.

The pavements are encroached mostly by tea stalls, second-hand and pirated book shops, electronic accessories shops, makeshift eateries etc.

With support from local influential people and hoodlums, these hawkers continue to sell their items on the footpath. It has been reported by many dailies that hawkers pay a fixed amount of money daily to the local groups so that they do not disturb them during their hours of operation.

Such shops leave no scope for pedestrians to walk and move freely on the sidewalks. They face many problems. The crowded footpaths have also become a place for various crimes. For example, pickpockets have become very active in most of the areas mentioned.

It is absolutely necessary for this crisis to be resolved. I would like to request the administration to free these sidewalks from the hawkers and also prohibit illegal parking of vehicles by the roads.

Md Monir Hossen,

University of Dhaka,

[email protected]