Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) administrator Md Shafiqul Islam Khan has declared that trading on footpaths and roads will no longer be permitted, though alternative arrangements will be made for small and floating traders.
He made these remarks during an exchange meeting with small and floating traders at the Mukul Fouj field in Mirpur on Thursday afternoon, aimed at clearing the pavements from Mirpur-10 to Mirpur-1.
Addressing the traders, he emphasised that they must operate with the understanding that business on the streets is no longer an option, while reiterating the city corporation’s commitment to providing alternative locations.
Khan further stated that individuals or groups who previously facilitated illegal trading on footpaths would no longer be allowed to operate. He noted that the DNCC is adopting a humanitarian perspective to resolve the issues faced by traders.
“We have come to talk to you for humanitarian reasons; we could have conducted evictions with force, but we did not,” he said, adding that the goal is to allow local people to earn a living through legitimate business.
During the meeting, representatives for the hawkers and floating traders argued that they have relied on these pavements for their livelihoods for many years. They expressed concerns that a sudden eviction would lead to a crisis for their families and demanded that specific relocation sites be identified and adequate time be provided before any move. They specifically requested that the new locations be viable for conducting business.
In response, the administrator announced that a five-member delegation of traders would be formed to hold detailed discussions with the city corporation to find an effective solution.
To protect traders from harassment, Khan announced that the DNCC would issue “tokens” to legitimate traders to ensure that no extortionists (chandabaz) can demand money from them. He instructed the traders not to pay any money if it is demanded after the tokens are issued and urged them to inform the city corporation of such incidents, promising that the authorities would stand by them.
The exchange meeting was also attended by DNCC Chief Engineer Brigadier General Syed Rakibul Hasan , the deputy commissioner (DC) of the DMP Mirpur Zone, and local dignitaries.
