The Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP), along with Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC_ and Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC), carried out eviction drives to remove street vendors (hawkers) from sidewalks across the capital last month, reportedly without any proper rehabilitation plan.
Initially, residents experienced smoother traffic flow and easier pedestrian movement. However, hawkers soon returned and reoccupied sidewalks, once again causing traffic congestion and public suffering. Frustrated citizens have begun criticizing the government over the situation.
In response, DNCC and DSCC have hurriedly introduced a “hawker card” system as a form of digital ID to rehabilitate street vendors.
Over 300 hawkers under both city corporations have already received these cards and returned to occupying sidewalks and roads.
Public criticism, political allegations
Residents allege that eviction drives are largely symbolic and politically influenced. They claim sidewalks were previously controlled by Awami League affiliates and are now controlled by ruling party-linked groups, with eviction drives serving as a staged exercise.
Critics also point out that both city administrators have BNP political backgrounds, suggesting the operations are politically driven rather than genuine reforms.
Experts argue that eviction efforts failed because no practical alternative arrangements were made for hawkers. As a result, vendors have returned to their previous positions. They also say the hawker card system is poorly planned, leading to renewed public dissatisfaction.
Allegations of political influence, bribery
Reports suggest hawker cards are being distributed under political patronage. Hawkers allegedly need recommendations from BNP, Jubo Dal, or Sramik Dal leaders to obtain cards, along with payments ranging from Tk20,000 to Tk30,000, plus a daily fee commitment of around Tk200.
A hawker in Gulistan said anonymously that “nothing works without money,” though the card gives them some security from police eviction.
Another applicant claimed that about 1,200 hawkers have already paid to be listed, adding that connections to city corporation officials and ruling party-linked individuals are essential.
The DSCC Administrator, retired freedom fighter Md Abdus Salam, was previously a senior BNP leader and election agent. DNCC Administrator Md Shafiqul Islam Khan was also a BNP-nominated candidate in the national election.
Legal and planning concerns
Urban planners say there is no clear policy or legal framework for rehabilitating hawkers on sidewalks. Recently, DSCC marked designated sidewalk areas near Gulistan by painting boundaries and allowing hawker card holders to operate there.
However, experts warn that without proper planning, this will create long-term urban disorder and make regulation more difficult.
Urban planner Sheikh Muhammad Mehedi Ahsan of the Bangladesh Institute of Planners said hawkers cannot simply be removed without rehabilitation, as many depend on this livelihood and low-income consumers rely on them.
He stressed the need for a clear policy framework and structured rehabilitation plan, warning that ad hoc roadside settlements will worsen chaos.
Public frustration
A resident of Dhaka South City Corporation and a private university teacher, Azmal Hossain, told Dhaka Tribune that governments keep changing, but sidewalks are never truly freed from occupation.
“Every time, there is a staged eviction drive at the beginning. Later, everything goes back to compromize. We think the government is finally doing something good, but before we can even thank them, the sidewalks are occupied again. I don’t know when this ugly cycle will end.”
A Jagannath University student, Delwar Hossain, said that allowing hawkers back on the streets in the name of rehabilitation was completely inappropriate.
He said that when the eviction drive took place last month, people praised the government because traffic disappeared from Gulistan. But now Gulistan has returned to its previous condition, and traffic congestion and public suffering have started again.
A resident of Banshal in Dhaka South City, Suraiya Begum, said that if the city corporation provides hawkers with proper, legal spaces for rehabilitation, they would willingly operate there instead of occupying sidewalks.
She added that the problem lies with the intentions of the city corporation itself, claiming that none of them genuinely want to reduce public suffering.
“They always try to stay in power by using public suffering as a tool,” she said.
Official position
DSCC says hawker cards are a temporary solution. Around 100 hawkers have already received QR-coded digital IDs, with plans to expand gradually. Authorities have instructed that at least 5–6 feet of pedestrian space must remain clear on sidewalks.
DSCC chief executive officer said the system aims to ensure transparency, pedestrian-friendly sidewalks, and improved livelihoods for hawkers.
DSCC Administrator Md Abdus Salam said the initiative follows higher government directives and aims to ensure orderly streets while improving livelihoods through registration and rehabilitation.
DNCC Administrator Md Shafiqul Islam Khan said 202 hawkers have already been issued digital IDs out of 829 listed vendors, with relocation underway from areas like Mirpur-10 to Mirpur-13 and Gabtoli.
