Dhaka South launches modern hawker rehabilitation programme under new policy framework

Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) yesterday (30 April) formally launched a modern hawker rehabilitation programme under the proposed "Dhaka City Hawker Management Policy-2026", aiming to ensure smooth pedestrian movement on footpaths and bring street vending activities under an organised system.

The inauguration ceremony was held at the Nagar Bhaban auditorium, where DSCC Administrator Abdus Salam inaugurated the initiative as the chief guest.

As part of the programme, digital identity cards were distributed among 100 hawkers from the Gulistan area for their rehabilitation at the Link Road adjacent to Ramna Bhaban.

Under the proposed policy, DSCC has identified several designated locations and fixed operating hours for hawkers in different parts of the city.

The initially selected areas include the Link Road beside Ramna Bhaban in Gulistan for a daily market, AGB Colony ground opposite Motijheel Ideal School for an evening market from 6pm to 10pm, areas in front of and around Islam Chamber in Motijheel for evening vending from 6pm to 10pm, the area behind RAJUK Bhaban for a daily market, Gulistan Twin Tower lane for daily vending, the Link Road adjacent to the east gate of Baitul Mukarram for a daily market, one side of the road near the south gate of New Market for daily vending, and the road adjacent to the field inside Shahjahanpur Railway Colony for a daily market.

Speaking at the programme, DSCC Chief Executive Officer Jahirul Islam said 100 hawkers were initially provided with digital identity cards embedded with QR codes and more registered hawkers would gradually be brought under the system in phases.

He said the digital system would ensure transparency and accountability while enabling traffic police to easily verify the legitimacy of hawkers and their designated vending locations.

He also said hawkers would be required to keep at least five to six feet of space open on footpaths to ensure uninterrupted pedestrian movement.

In his speech, the DSCC administrator said the initiative was launched following the directive of the prime minister to bring discipline to street vending activities in the capital.

He said the programme would help ensure safer and pedestrian-friendly footpaths while improving the livelihoods of marginalised people through registration and rehabilitation of hawkers.

Describing the initiative as both humanitarian and transformative, he said coordinated efforts among hawkers, police, city authorities and citizens would help build a better-managed Dhaka city.

He also urged rehabilitated hawkers to conduct business legally by following all government and city corporation regulations and maintaining cleanliness in their allocated areas.

Officials at the programme said no markets would be allowed on playgrounds, school fields or in front of religious establishments. No permanent structures would be permitted in the designated vending zones either.

Authorities also warned that unlicensed or policy-violating hawkers could face eviction at any time, while law enforcement agencies would maintain strict vigilance to prevent illegal extortion from hawkers.

Among others, Joint Secretary of the Urban Development Wing of the Local Government Division Parimal Sarkar and Additional Commissioner (Traffic) of Dhaka Metropolitan Police Anisur Rahmab attended the event as special guests.

Speakers at the programme described the initiative as a timely step towards building a "Clean City, Green City."