US and Canadian embassies clear out footpath

The Embassy of the United States of America and the High Commission of Canada in Dhaka have cleared out the footpaths along both foreign missions after a city corporation request. On February 28, the Dhaka North City Corporation had asked eight foreign missions to remove obstructions they had placed on the footpath. Among them, the US embassy on Saturday relocated around 40 concrete blocks used along the northern perimeter of the premises. The concrete blocks were linked with chains as a security measure, but they were an obstruction to pedestrian movement. The Canadian High Commission authority began removing their security apparatus from the footpath in front of their premises in Baridhara diplomatic zone. The footpath now remains unrestricted to pedestrians CourtesyA press release issued by the mayor’s office on Saturday announced the footpaths were now open to pedestrians. The press release also thanked the embassy for their swift action.

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Also Read- US, Canada among eight embassies asked to keep footpaths clear

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In response to a query, DNCC Public Relations Officer Md Monzur-E-Mowla told the Dhaka Tribune the two embassies had complied with the request and expressed hope that the others will follow suit as well. A letter signed by DNCC Chief Executive Officer Md Mesbahul Islam were sent to the foreign missions of the United States, Canada, Italy, Germany, France, United Kingdom, Australia and Turkey to relocate their security measures which impeded pedestrian movement. DNCC Mayor Annisul Hoque has pledged to free all occupied footpaths in Dhaka to ease pedestrian and vehicular traffic. Cleaning up the footpaths has been rather difficult, as many are occupied by street hawkers. Earlier in October, attempts to evict hawkers in Gulistan led to a clash between the hawkers and DNCC officials and the police. Since then, the hawkers have been campaigning to ensure a relocation and rehabilitation programme in place before they are evicted to maintain their livelihoods.