Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) Administrator Md Abdus Salam has said that businesses cannot operate indiscriminately on roads and footpaths, causing public suffering.
From now on, anyone wishing to run a business on footpaths must obtain a license from the city corporation, he added.
He came up with the comments on Wednesday after inaugurating DSCC’s special initiative to free the footpath in front of Dhaka Medical College Hospital from illegal occupation and beautify the area.
Salam said, “Keeping Dhaka clean, livable, and beautiful is everyone’s responsibility. We created this aesthetic environment to ensure mental comfort for patients and their relatives coming to the hospital.
With joint efforts from Dhaka University, the police, the city corporation, and journalists, we want to preserve this environment in the long term.”
He was speaking as the chief guest at the event. After years of illegal encroachment and garbage, the footpath adjacent to the DMCH has regained an aesthetic look. Rows of flower pots, ornamental plants, and colourful graffiti now adorn the area, he added.
He added that, following the prime minister’s directives, DSCC is working to reduce public suffering while ensuring humane treatment of hawkers.
“To run temporary businesses on footpaths, a license from the city corporation will be required. We are currently preparing area-based lists of hawkers with police assistance. Once completed, a fixed number of hawkers will be allowed to operate in designated areas at specific times,” he said.
Salam said the government plans to introduce “holiday markets” and “night markets,” emphasising, “We want rehabilitation, not eviction.”
According to the DSCC information, the pilot project in front of the DMCH was implemented under the supervision of the Waste Management Department. The initiative covered about 1,350 feet from Dhaka University’s Mokarram Building to Chankharpul, featuring graffiti, 550 flower pots, and 650 plants.
Additionally, 50 seating arrangements for patients’ relatives and two scenic structures resembling hills are being built.
Md Mahbubur Rahman Talukder, DSCC’s Chief Waste Management Officer Air Commodore, said, “This is a pilot project. If successful with public cooperation and positive response, other busy footpaths in Dhaka south city will also be freed from encroachment and beautified.”
DSCC Chief Executive Officer Md Zahirul Islam, Dhaka Medical College Director Brigadier General Md Asaduzzaman, and senior DSCC officials were present.
