Street food vendors of Dhaka are stuck clueless in a legal limbo

A couple of days ago, a video went viral online—a youth, bewildered, pleading in front of journalists' microphones, saying, "I have to come to the streets to earn, despite being a college graduate. Can you give me a job? Why did you then destroy my only source of income?" 

He was detained right after his protest against an abrupt eviction, and his friend, who came to save him, was locked up with him as well.

Mohiuddin, who just completed his 12th grade, owns a food cart and sells street foods in Dhanmondi to ease the financial burden of his family. His cart was destroyed by the police due to being illegal to operate on the streets, along with many other carts.

The incident, just like any other issue in Bangladesh, divided people on social media into two groups—one, being empathetic to the boy, while the other—on the side of the law, saying, "That business is illegal to begin with; how can you expect not to be evicted?"

Despite existing for decades, roadside food carts and other vendors are not recognised as legal businesses by the government or the city corporation. Yet, Dhaka city houses 2,000 to 3,000 food carts, according to a UNB report.

Food carts are commonplace anywhere in the world—they have existed for decades and will continue to do so as long as people seek more than just protein and nutrients from their meals. 

"This requires a centralised plan—deciding which parts will be reserved for pedestrians and which sections will be allocated to hawkers. Such a plan has not been made for a long time."

Professor Adil Mohammed Khan, president, Bangladesh Institute of Planners (BIP)

Unlike traditional restaurants, food carts cater to those who enjoy food on the go. They provide quick, delicious meals without the formality of dining in, making them ideal for individuals who prefer convenience. 

However, beyond serving food, these mobile vendors also foster a sense of community by bringing together people who share a passion for diverse, non-traditional cuisines while earning a livelihood.

Street food culture in some other countries

In Thailand, food trucks embody the perfect blend of heritage and innovation. They take treasured recipes passed down through generations, incorporate fresh local ingredients, and serve them in a contemporary setting. 

These trucks are more than just a mode of transport; they represent the vibrant essence of Thai cuisine. More than a fleeting trend, they have transformed into a dynamic street food movement, bridging the past with the present and offering an unforgettable culinary experience.

Malaysia's food cart scene is equally impressive, offering tourists a well-organised glimpse into its thriving street food culture. One standout example is TAPAK Urban Street Dining, a designated food truck park where vendors operate legally under one space, resolving past challenges related to illegal parking. 

This model not only streamlines the street food business but also provides customers with various cuisines to explore, making food carts distinct from traditional restaurants.

India's food cart culture is deeply rooted in its culinary traditions, with busy street vendors serving everything from chaats and dosas to kebabs and sweets. These vendors play a crucial role in the country's food scene, offering affordable and diverse meals to their people. However, to regulate this massive industry, the Street Vendors (Protection of Livelihood and Regulation of Street Vending) Act, 2014, was introduced. 

This law ensures that vendors receive licenses, designated vending zones, and protection from unlawful eviction while maintaining hygiene and safety standards. By balancing regulation with opportunity, India has allowed its street food culture to thrive while ensuring a structured approach to urban vending.

When it comes to Dhaka, food carts are not just convenient but necessary for millions. Office workers, students, and rickshaw pullers rely on them for affordable meals, often as their only option. Although considered illegal by the city corporation, it is probably high time for a reimagination of the system.

As Professor Adil Mohammed Khan puts it, "The footpaths are meant for pedestrians, but there should also be provisions to accommodate food carts and hawkers when necessary, as they have become a part of Dhaka life." Professor Adil teaches urban and regional planning at Jahangirnagar University and holds the position of president at the Bangladesh Institute of Planners (BIP).

"However, this requires a centralised plan—deciding which parts will be reserved for pedestrians and which sections will be allocated to hawkers. Such a plan has not been made for a long time."

Beyond accessibility and convenience, these vendors contribute significantly to the informal economy. They create employment for thousands, from suppliers to helpers, fostering a micro-economy that supports countless families.

Yet, these very vendors are subject to relentless struggles. Without legal recognition, they exist at the mercy of law enforcement and local extortionists. Many pay bribes simply to operate another day, their earnings syphoned away by corruption. 

The constant threat of eviction looms over them, making long-term planning impossible. Some, having taken loans to set up their stalls, find themselves in financial ruin when police confiscate their carts during sudden crackdowns.

The city's economic and cultural dependence on food carts

Despite being labelled as illegal occupiers, street vendors are an essential part of Dhaka's urban ecosystem. They provide affordable meals to thousands of office workers, students, and day labourers. 

The city's swelling middle class, caught between rising living costs and stagnant wages, depends on them for budget-friendly fast food. The majority of Dhaka's dating culture relies on street foods—from fuchka to pizza—the affordability and convenience make it an easy choice for most.

The success of food carts lies in their affordability and efficiency. Compared to traditional restaurants, they require lower investment and fewer staff, making them an accessible business model for aspiring entrepreneurs. 

Additionally, they contribute to local economies while creating spaces where communities can gather and share meals.

Street food vendors have gained legal recognition in many countries due to a combination of cultural acceptance, economic necessity, and government regulations. Licensing, food safety measures, and zoning laws ensure that these businesses thrive while maintaining quality standards. 

Ultimately, food carts continue to shape the global culinary landscape, offering a delicious, convenient, and communal way to experience food.

These roadside food cart owners are not just service providers, they contribute to Dhaka's local economy. They create demand for fresh produce, meat, and other raw materials, directly benefiting farmers and small-scale suppliers. 

Many vendors source their ingredients from nearby markets, ensuring that money circulates within the community.

"Around four lakhs of hawkers operate their businesses in Dhaka. With dependents on them, the number is approximately 20 lakh. Combine that with at least 70 to 80 lakh people who are the customers of these vendors," said Shekender Hayat, the general secretary of Bangladesh Hawkers Union.

Additionally, food carts generate employment opportunities for assistants, cleaners, and transporters, creating a web of interconnected livelihoods. By offering low-cost meals, they also enable lower-income workers to save money.

The struggle to stay afloat

For a street vendor in Dhaka, setting up a shop is not just about finding a good location—it is about navigating a shadowy economy of bribery and extortion. Many hawkers are forced to pay local musclemen, law enforcement, or political groups in exchange for the right to operate. 

If they refuse, they risk losing their livelihood overnight.

"Now if you evict the hawkers without any proper plan of rehabilitation, this one crore people, or half of the Dhaka-dwellers, will be in trouble," said Shekender.

"If these hawkers' only resort to living is seized, crime rates will also spike—and of course, that will be an even bigger trouble for the city," he elaborated.

In 2023, a specific space called Holiday Market was opened for the street vendors of Dhaka, according to a Dhaka North City Corporation official.

But as Shekender alleged, "The spots were distributed based on political connections and lobbying, and only 10-15% got spots in the Holiday Market that are truly deserving."

"The vendors had to pay a group of people a certain amount of money every day, and after 5th August, the situation is even worse."

These payments can be significant, cutting deep into their already modest earnings. It is an open secret, yet the problem persists because there is no structured alternative for these vendors to operate legally. 

The absence of regulation fuels a cycle of exploitation where the most vulnerable pay the highest price.

The way forward

The city authorities see the vendors as a problem rather than a part of the solution. There is no official mechanism to integrate them into urban planning, no proper designated zones, and no clear policy on their existence. 

According to a city corporation official, in the city corporation laws, there is no way to be registered as a roadside temporary vendor, whether you sell food items or cheap garments. The city will recognise you as an illegal hawker. As a result, the vendors remain vulnerable—subject to eviction, harassment, and extortion.

As Dhaka's economy grows, the issue of food carts and other street vendors can be approached differently. "In Dhaka city, allowing an unlimited number of people to do business on the footpaths is not feasible," said Professor Adil.

"The city already faces major public transportation issues for its 20 million residents. Balancing between the necessity of roads and food carts requires political will, public support, and urban planners who understand both the economy and society."

He also said that under a specific framework for the vendors, it can be decided who will be allowed, for how long, and under what conditions. "The necessary central planning can be done if we want to, but there is simply no initiative. These scattered eviction drives achieve nothing in the long run."

Shekender said that they have been asking the government to take proper steps to improve the situation of these vendors: "Firstly, a short-term solution, and secondly, the roadmap for a long-term rehabilitation. These evictions never worked, and will not work."

Professor Adil mentioned that in India, they have laws, planning, and the intent to make it work—that is why they have been able to implement their regulations.

"To create a proper framework, we need to assess how much capacity the city has and how many hawkers can be accommodated. Those within the limit should be registered and brought under biometric identification," said Professor Adil.

"Solving Dhaka's footpath problem requires more than an emotional perspective—it also demands empathy. A balance must be struck," he concluded.