Hawkers take over Gulistan footpaths, commuters suffer
Esrat Jahan :
Roads and footpaths in the busy commercial area of Gulistan have become increasingly congested as street hawkers continue to occupy large portions of public space to sell their products, creating serious difficulties for pedestrians and commuters.
The situation is particularly severe in front of the well-known Gulistan Cinema Hall, where makeshift stalls and vendors line both sides of the street. Hawkers display clothes, shoes, accessories and household items on temporary stands or directly on the pavement, leaving very little space for pedestrians to walk.
As a result, many people are forced to walk on the main road, which not only slows traffic but also increases the risk of accidents. The area remains crowded for most of the day as shoppers, office workers and transport vehicles struggle to move through the narrow spaces.
Regular commuters say the situation has become a daily challenge, especially during peak office hours when the area witnesses heavy traffic.
Shamim Hasan, an office-going employee who frequently passes through the area, said the encroachment of footpaths by vendors causes major delays.
“We face problems travelling from here and it takes too much time to cross the road because the streets remain crowded with hawkers,” he told The New Nation.
Another pedestrian expressed frustration, saying that the vendors have effectively taken over the streets, leaving ordinary people to suffer.
“They are occupying the streets for their business and we, the common people, are facing problems moving through the area,” he said.
Despite the complaints from commuters, the hawkers argue that they are compelled to sell their goods on the streets due to a lack of alternative employment opportunities.
One hawker said the government should first arrange proper locations for them before taking steps to remove them from the streets.
“If we cannot stay here, then where should we go? The government should first set a place for our business,” he said, adding that many families depend on such small-scale trading for their livelihood.
Street vending has long been a common feature in many parts of the capital, particularly in busy commercial zones like Gulistan. While these vendors provide affordable goods and earn a living, the uncontrolled occupation of roads and footpaths often leads to traffic congestion and inconvenience for the public.
Urban experts say a balanced approach is needed to address the issue. They suggest that authorities should create designated vending zones and ensure better management of public spaces so that both commuters and small traders can coexist without disrupting daily life in the city.
