Illegal occupation of public space

The sight of horse carts and horses occupying main thoroughfares in Dhaka city further crystallises the reality that is the dangerously shrinking public space in the capital. The photograph of mules being kept under a major flyover in Old Dhaka, along with the horse carts, published yesterday in this daily, illustrates the extent of the problem.

Although the practice of misusing public spaces isn't anything new, the gravity of the situation increases by the day in light of a growing population, buildings and number of vehicles on the streets. This paper has highlighted over the years the illegal encroachment of public space by small businesses, adding to a long list of contending issues Dhakaites have to live with everyday.

That millions of inhabitants of one of the fastest growing megacities in the world should have to navigate roads taken up by livestock is absurd. Such actions not only diminish public space but also exacerbate the degrading environmental conditions and poor air quality, posing the threat of respiratory diseases and other ailments. With reeking garbage carelessly piling up on the streets, parked horse carts and livestock add to the filthy smell polluting the air.

Along with crises of waterlogging, scarcity of drinking water, waste mismanagement, traffic congestion and power cuts, dwindling public space is yet another avoidable, public nuisance that affects ordinary people the most. 

The municipal corporations and relevant authorities can no longer continue to ignore their responsibility of preventing thoroughfares and pavements from illegal occupation by horse carts, welding shops, food carts or what have you. The authorities should move quickly to free the roads encroached upon and restore them to their rightful users.