Street Vendors to Sit Along Four City Roads
Representational Image by AI.
What exactly happened there? Does anyone know? It was being called a "Homework Meeting." The doors to the conference room of the Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) administration were closed, but a meeting was in progress inside. While full details of the decisions made haven't been released, those involved in the hour-long session shared some insights with Agamir Shomoy.
It was revealed that the meeting focused on the rehabilitation of hawkers. The decision: four specific roads will be designated for hawkers to set up shop. Following the Prime Minister's instructions on Saturday regarding hawker rehabilitation, the DSCC convened this urgent meeting on Sunday.
Which roads can hawkers occupy?
According to the preliminary draft, the designated areas are:
The road between Baitul Mukarram National Mosque and the GPO.
The road adjacent to the Annex Building behind the Rajuk Building.
The space in front of the Awami League office in Gulistan and the AGB Colony road.
An official present at the meeting stated that these roads have been identified for now. Additionally, the DSCC is considering roads in several other areas, including New Market.
Identification and Licensing
It won’t be a free-for-all; not just anyone can sit there. The official clarified that only "genuine" hawkers will be allowed. To facilitate this, a census is underway, with the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) conducting the survey.
Once the survey and the DSCC’s spatial measurements are complete, it will be clear how many hawkers can be accommodated. The official added that new roads will be sought for any hawkers who are left out.
Regarding the implementation process, the official explained: "On these roads, each hawker will be allotted space equivalent to the size of one van. They will be issued identity cards along with a one-year license featuring a QR code from the DSCC. There will be an option to renew the license later."
The hurried Sunday meeting included representatives from the Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (RAJUK), the Public Works Department, and the DMP.
The DSCC has already formed a committee led by Chief Executive Officer Md. Zahirul Islam to oversee the rehabilitation. He told Agamir Shomoy that the meeting was rushed due to the Prime Minister’s direct orders. Another meeting is scheduled for next week once the hawker count and site measurements are finalized.
The issue of hawker rehabilitation came to the forefront recently following several eviction drives conducted by both city corporations across various locations in Dhaka.
