Reza Mahmud :
The traditional ‘hustle and bustle’ centering footpath business at Motijheel Commercial Area in the capital has eased significantly on Wednesday following the ongoing eviction drives of hawkers by the Dhaka South City Corporation.
The pavements of the area were seen free from footpath vendors helping easy movement of pedestrians as well as vehicles on roads from Motijheel to Tikatuli.
Pubic buses and cars on the day could easily pass through the Motijheel Shapla Chattar to Dainik Bangla intersection as a result of a changed situation after the eviction drive.
Vehicles were taking only few minutes to pass through the area on the day instead of around half an hour time in previous days.
But in Gulistan and adjacent areas, the hawkers used to sit for business at noon defying the DSCC’s ban.
“Now we can easily pass through from Tikatuli to Motijheel Shapla Chattar as hawkers remained off the pavements and besides main roads. It helped to ease day-time tailbacks making easier way for the vehicles,” Sagir Mian, a bus helper, told The New Nation yesterday.
“I used to walk from Tikatuli residence to my Fakirapool office everyday. It takes more than half an hour to reach my office due to footpath occupation by street vendors. But now I found the pavement free. It makes my way easier and prevents waste of time,” Abu Taher, a private service holder, told The New Nation.
While talking to this correspondent, many pedestrians expressed their happiness over the DSCC’s action and demanded preventing illegal car parking on road in Motijheel Commercial Area.
“We hope the Mayor would not bow down to any pressure from any groups and keep the city streets clean from hawkers and illegal parking,” Arif Hossain, another pedestrian, told The New Nation.
When contacted, DSCC Mayor Sayeed Khokon told The New Nation yesterday that he will take action against illegal parking after completion of ongoing eviction drive against footpath grabbers.
Meanwhile, the DSCC’s drive to evict street vendors in Gulistan, Ramna, Motijheel and adjourning areas was on for the fourth consecutive days on Wednesday.
DSCC’s executive magistrate Khan Mohammad Nazmus Shoaib led the drive with the help of law-enforcers.
On the otherhand the pavements of Gulistan, Ramna, Paltan and Baitul Mukarram areas were found partially free till 1:00 pm. The hawkers were found playing ‘thief-police game’ till noon and then they fully opened their shops in pavements.