We need a permanent solution for footpath hawkers

We were relieved to see the empty footpaths across Dhaka city after Dhaka South City Corporation's eviction of roadside hawkers. Despite vigorous efforts by the authorities, however, hawkers have once again taken over the recently-freed footpaths. Dhaka North and South city authorities have periodically taken initiatives to free the streets from hawkers and street vendors, but they continue to face obstruction from musclemen empowered by local leaders with the support of unscrupulous officials. The government should empower relevant authorities so that they can effectively enforce existing regulations and hold the culprits accountable. 

However, evicting street vendors without any rehabilitation plan is degrading and inhumane. Hawkers don't just randomly set up shop in an area. They get the space from powerful entities who demand daily fees in exchange for the permission. These are the parties we should be pointing our fingers at. Evicting hawkers isn't a permanent solution. These people desperately need a source of income, and so, in a sense, they are victims here too. The government should provide designated areas for hawkers, because, in the absence of government support, people will always find a way to take advantage of them. If the two mayors of Dhaka city are truly committed to their vision of a cleaner and greener Dhaka, they would be helping their own cause and gaining much credibility by taking this issue seriously.

Zubair Khaled Huq
By email