Lasting solution of hawkers' problem
Thursday, 23 August 2007
MAJOR roads in Dhaka city have a nice and free look these days because hawkers of various types who used to peddle their wares in them were driven off. Road users, specially pedestrians, are finding relief from the measure.
However, it needs realisation also that hawkers are mainly self-employed people and their earnings are probably the only source of sustenance of a large number of people. Indirectly, the lot of the producers and suppliers of many small items is also inexorably linked to the hawkers and they too are a large number. The popularity of the hawkers among buyers, among other things, was their accessibility very near by. The same accessibility would remain if they could be relocated at points close to the main roads. In fact, not only Dhaka but even big and sophisticated cities like London and New York also allow hawkers to operate in the open considering the self-employment value of such trades and advantage to buyers in terms of cheaper price and accessibility. The only difference is that, unlike in Dhaka, the hawkers there are restricted to zones that prevent spill over on the roads.
It should be nothing difficult to progressively try out such solutions in Dhaka. The present hawkers' market at Banghabandhu Avenue reflects such a successful endeavour. Hawkers inside that market now have their small shops but they used to be squatters on the roads. Like the hawkers market, similar non-permanent arrangements can be made perhaps for the displaced hawkers to sit in the vacant areas in between the former COSCOR shop and the Awami League office, adjacent to the Banghabandhu Avenue. Many of them can be similarly allowed to do their business in a small part of the Osmany Uddyan. In many places of the capital city, spots such as these can be found for the hawkers. Why are such arrangements not being tried but drastic solution unimaginatively attempted time and again ?
Mahmudul Hasan
Nayapaltan, Dhaka
However, it needs realisation also that hawkers are mainly self-employed people and their earnings are probably the only source of sustenance of a large number of people. Indirectly, the lot of the producers and suppliers of many small items is also inexorably linked to the hawkers and they too are a large number. The popularity of the hawkers among buyers, among other things, was their accessibility very near by. The same accessibility would remain if they could be relocated at points close to the main roads. In fact, not only Dhaka but even big and sophisticated cities like London and New York also allow hawkers to operate in the open considering the self-employment value of such trades and advantage to buyers in terms of cheaper price and accessibility. The only difference is that, unlike in Dhaka, the hawkers there are restricted to zones that prevent spill over on the roads.
It should be nothing difficult to progressively try out such solutions in Dhaka. The present hawkers' market at Banghabandhu Avenue reflects such a successful endeavour. Hawkers inside that market now have their small shops but they used to be squatters on the roads. Like the hawkers market, similar non-permanent arrangements can be made perhaps for the displaced hawkers to sit in the vacant areas in between the former COSCOR shop and the Awami League office, adjacent to the Banghabandhu Avenue. Many of them can be similarly allowed to do their business in a small part of the Osmany Uddyan. In many places of the capital city, spots such as these can be found for the hawkers. Why are such arrangements not being tried but drastic solution unimaginatively attempted time and again ?
Mahmudul Hasan
Nayapaltan, Dhaka