The Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) and Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) have launched a coordinated initiative to rehabilitate and regulate street hawkers in the capital under the proposed “Dhaka City Hawker Management Policy 2026.”
The programme includes the issuance of digital identity cards and the relocation of vendors to designated areas.
In the initial phase, around 300 hawkers have been relocated across Dhaka North and South City Corporation jurisdictions as part of efforts to restore pedestrian access and ensure orderly street management.
On Tuesday, DNCC authorities distributed digital identity cards to 202 hawkers at Nagar Bhaban. The cards, embedded with QR codes, serve as official registration documents, allowing vendors to operate legally in designated areas while enabling monitoring and accountability.
DNCC Administrator Shafiqul Islam Khan said hawkers from Mirpur-10 have been relocated to areas opposite the BRTA office in Mirpur-13, while vendors from Mirpur-1 have been shifted to the Gabtoli kitchen market area.
He further noted that a total of 829 hawkers have been identified for phased relocation, with remaining vendors to be issued ID cards and shifted to assigned locations in subsequent phases.
Authorities have cautioned that hawkers must not obstruct pedestrian movement outside designated zones. “If anyone is found occupying footpaths beyond the approved areas after the deadline, eviction drives will be conducted,” the administrator warned.
DNCC also said an earlier proposal to use six city fields for rehabilitation was withdrawn after it was found that the spaces are actively used by children for recreation. The corporation is now considering the development of dedicated hawker markets in suitable locations in the future.
A monitoring committee involving DNCC officials and the Dhaka Metropolitan Police will oversee implementation and ensure compliance.
In the first phase, the DSCC has distributed digital identity cards to 100 hawkers and allocated designated space for their relocation near the Ramna Bhaban link road area.
DSCC officials said the newly identified vending zones will operate under structured time schedules, allowing both daytime and evening markets.
Proposed key locations for these regulated vending zones include Gulistan, Motijheel, the Bangabandhu Avenue area, the vicinity of the New Market south gate, and the Shajahanpur Railway Colony premises.
DSCC Chief Executive Officer Md Zahirul Islam said the digital identification system is expected to enhance transparency and enable law enforcement agencies to quickly verify the legitimacy of vendors.
Authorities have also made it mandatory to keep at least 5–6 feet of pedestrian walkway clear at all times to ensure unobstructed public movement.
DSCC Administrator Brigadier General (Retd) Md Abdur Salam said the initiative, guided by the prime minister’s directive, aims to ensure both an orderly city environment and improved livelihoods for low-income vendors.
Officials further noted that the draft “Dhaka City Hawker Management Policy 2026” is currently under review by the Local Government Division. The policy proposes the establishment of designated vending zones, time-based market operations, and strict enforcement mechanisms.
Authorities emphasized that no permanent structures will be allowed on footpaths, and unauthorized hawkers may face eviction at any time. Law enforcement agencies will also intensify monitoring to curb illegal extortion in vending areas.
City officials described the initiative as part of a broader vision to transform Dhaka into a cleaner and greener city, balancing urban order with the economic needs of informal workers. They added that successful implementation will require coordinated efforts among hawkers, city corporations, police, and the public.