The Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) has reclaimed a footpath in Segunbagicha from hawkers and reopened it to pedestrians, warning that anyone who returns to the area will face legal action and have their goods seized.
The renovated footpath now features new dustbins, benches for pedestrians and a refurbished boundary wall. As part of the beautification work, graffiti depicting 10 prominent figures from Bangladesh’s art and cultural heritage has also been added, including Shilpacharya Zainul Abedin, filmmaker Satyajit Ray, poet Rabindranath Tagore and National Poet Kazi Nazrul Islam.
DSCC Administrator Md Abdus Salam inaugurated the beautification work at the reclaimed footpath in Segunbagicha on Monday morning.
“No hawker will be allowed to occupy roads or footpaths in the capital. Alternative designated locations have been arranged for hawkers, and they must conduct their businesses there,” he said at the inauguration.
He warned that hawkers who return to prohibited areas after eviction would face legal action, including the seizure of their goods.
“We do not want to evict anyone, nor do we want poor hawkers to suffer losses to their capital. That is why alternative locations have been designated for them,” Abdus Salam said.
He said a “holiday market” had been arranged at the Pir Yemeni Mazar area on Fridays and Saturdays, while hawkers had been allowed to operate on the footpath along the road opposite Ideal School on other days.
“These decisions were taken through several discussions with leaders of hawker organisations. Hawkers cannot block the main road or set up stalls on any other footpath without permission,” he said.
The administrator said the area, which had previously been difficult for pedestrians to use, had been freed from hawker encroachment through sustained efforts.
“We want to develop this area adjacent to the Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy as a clean cultural environment,” he said.
He said DSCC cleaners would regularly maintain the area, while the Shilpakala Academy and citizens would also have to play a responsible role in preserving its cleanliness and appearance.
Calling for cooperation from journalists, hawkers and residents to keep Dhaka clean, green and beautiful, Abdus Salam said maintaining a “clean and green” capital was not solely the government’s responsibility.
“It is the civic responsibility of all Dhaka residents to keep Dhaka clean and green,” he said.
