Gulistan, the heart of Dhaka, is always crowded. But the crowd is no longer just shoppers or commuters. Hawkers have taken over the streets. Not just footpaths, roads are packed with stalls. Vehicles squeeze through narrow lanes. Pedestrians are forced to walk among traffic.
Shaheed Abrar Fahad Avenue is almost impossible to cross without jostling through hawkers. The road beneath the Mayor Hanif Flyover is full of small shops. The street near Golap Shah Mazar is no different. Vendors sell clothes, shoes, snacks and electronics. Many of them have been here for years. Eviction drives push them away, but they return the next day.
Traffic congestion worsens every hour. Rickshaws, buses, and cars struggle to move. Accidents happen often, though minor ones are rarely reported. People complain, but the city has limited solutions. Authorities say they are working to enforce “red zones” where hawking is banned. Yet the reality on the ground remains messy.
For pedestrians, the struggle is daily. Mothers with children, elderly people and office workers all fight for space. Crossing roads takes longer. Walking fast is impossible. Some people risk stepping into traffic to get through. Safety is a constant concern.
Hawkers, on the other hand, depend on these spots to survive. Many have no other source of income. They resist relocation because nearby markets or formal vending areas are limited. Even when offered spaces in rehabilitation programs, some prefer to risk eviction.
Experts say the problem is bigger than Gulistan. Dhaka’s growing population and inadequate pedestrian infrastructure make such encroachments inevitable. Without proper planning, eviction alone cannot solve the problem. City planners suggest wider sidewalks and designated zones for the markets. Hawker registration is also crucial.
Gulistan is still alive, buzzing with trade and life. But the price of convenience is high. Pedestrians navigate narrow paths. Vehicles crawl through the streets, and hawkers, undeterred, continue their daily hustle. Until the city finds a sustainable solution, Gulistan’s roads will remain a crowded dance of commerce and chaos.
