No shops allowed to occupy footpaths for business: Dhaka South administrator

No hawkers will be allowed to occupy footpaths or roads, and shops will not be permitted to conduct business by illegally using footpaths in areas under Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC), said Administrator Bir Muktijoddha Md Abdus Salam.

He also said regular monitoring, including surprise eviction drives in different parts of the capital, would be carried out in the coming days to prevent illegal occupation.

He made the remarks during a press briefing today (27 August) while overseeing an eviction drive in front of the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) office in Segunbagicha.

The DSCC administrator said the problems involving hawkers, rickshaws and floating people were particularly acute in south Dhaka, and the city corporation was trying to address them one by one.

"As part of this effort, drives are being conducted to keep footpaths and roads free from encroachment," he said.

He said the purpose of Thursday's drive was not to take action or impose fines on anyone, but to raise public awareness that violations would result in legal action.

"The main objective is to make people understand that action will be taken according to the law if it is violated. We also want people in other areas to become aware after seeing the drive," he said.

Abdus Salam said keeping roads and footpaths clean and accessible was not solely the responsibility of the city corporation.

"Residents also need to be aware. No hawker will be allowed to set up on a footpath without permission. Similarly, no shop will be allowed to conduct business by illegally occupying a footpath," he said.

He said people had repeatedly been urged to become more conscious about keeping roads and footpaths clean and accessible.

"No hawkers will be allowed on roads under any circumstances. Where there is no permission from the city corporation, hawkers will not be allowed to set up on footpaths either," he said.

More monitoring, surprise drives

Saying that stricter monitoring would be maintained against illegal occupation, the DSCC administrator sought public cooperation in implementing the measures.

"Within the next few days, surprise drives will again be conducted in different parts of the capital," he said.

He said joint inspections would also examine whether businesses had valid trade licences, whether they were facing any difficulties in conducting their operations, whether waste was being properly cleared and whether electricity was being misused.

Asked whether eviction drives would also be conducted in other hotspots identified under the campaign, Abdus Salam said such areas would also come under the drives.

He said steps had been taken to address the hawker problem and work had begun to arrange designated locations for hawkers based on a prepared list.

Asked about the long-term benefits of the measures, which have not yet become visible, he said the initiative was still at an early stage.

"The initiative is still in the short-term stage. Its benefits will become visible over time. People are becoming more aware than before, but more awareness is needed," he said.

Monitoring after eviction

Asked whether the city corporation monitors areas after eviction drives to prevent shopkeepers and hawkers from returning, the administrator said monitoring was in place.

However, he said it was not possible to keep law enforcement personnel stationed at every location around the clock.

"We are focusing not only on eviction drives but also on creating awareness among people. Everyone needs to come forward to use footpaths and roads in accordance with the law," he said.

Regarding notices issued to shopkeepers during the drive, Abdus Salam said illegal occupants had not been removed without prior warning.

"They have been warned for the past six months. Public notices have also been issued on the matter," he said.

He said people had repeatedly been informed that hawkers would not be allowed to occupy roads and that footpaths could not be used illegally.

Those who continue to occupy roads and footpaths and conduct business in violation of the instructions are being dealt with according to the law, he said.

"Cases will also be filed against illegal shop owners when necessary," the DSCC administrator added.