Eviction drives push hawkers out in Mirpur, Gulistan
The Dhaka North and South city corporations launched separate eviction drives in Mirpur-1 and Gulistan on Wednesday to clear footpaths of illegal stalls and structures, but hawkers returned to parts of Mirpur within an hour of the first operation.
The Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) conducted its first drive in Mirpur-1 from 11am to 1pm, removing hundreds of stalls from footpaths in front of Muktijoddha Super Market and Hazrat Shah Ali Shopping Complex.
However, vendors soon began setting up their stalls again, prompting the DNCC to launch a second drive at around 2:45pm. Officials removed stalls and seized wood, bamboo, bricks and other materials used to construct them. Some vendors dismantled their stalls themselves after being instructed to do so, while cleaning workers later swept the road.
The first operation was led by DNCC Administrator Md Shafiqul Islam Khan Milton, who said the corporation would continue removing encroachments that obstruct pedestrians.
“Footpaths in every area will be freed from encroachment,” he said, adding that restoring public access to walkways was his responsibility. He also reiterated his commitment to the government’s goal of building a clean and green Dhaka.
Jahurul Alam Sujon, an inspector at DNCC Zone-2, said eviction drives would continue without a fixed schedule.
“There is no specific time; we can come at any time. We still have two more teams that can come and check even after we leave,” he said.
Some vendors expressed concern about losing their livelihoods if they were prevented from selling goods for an extended period. A cosmetics seller in front of Muktijoddha Super Market, who requested anonymity, said relocating to another place could mean losing customers.
Meanwhile, Ripon Khan, a trader at Hazrat Shah Ali Shopping Complex, said hawkers often returned after officials left, arguing that designating an alternative vending area might not prevent them from occupying footpaths again.
The market authorities also made an announcement over a loudspeaker, asking vendors to remove their stalls from the area in front of Muktijoddha Super Market.
In a separate operation, the Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) launched an eviction drive in Gulistan at around 10am, starting in the Fulbaria area.
DSCC workers began removing shops and structures built on footpaths, using heavy machinery, including payloaders, to demolish them. Seized goods and equipment were loaded onto city corporation vehicles and taken away.
Four DSCC executive magistrates led the operation: Chief Estate Officer Md Rezaul Karim, Chief Revenue Officer Jonaid Kabir Sohag, Estate Officer and Executive Magistrate Hasiba Khan, and Executive Magistrate Md Aminul Islam.
DSCC Administrator Abdus Salam was also present at the scene.
City corporation authorities said the operation would continue to keep footpaths clear of encroachments and ensure safe, unobstructed movement for pedestrians.
