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The Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) has reclaimed a footpath in Segunbagicha from illegal occupation and reopened it for pedestrians after renovating the area.
The renovated footpath now features new dustbins, benches for pedestrians and refurbished boundary walls. As part of the beautification drive, murals of 10 prominent figures from Bangladesh’s arts and culture, including artist Zainul Abedin, filmmaker Satyajit Ray, poet Rabindranath Tagore and national poet Kazi Nazrul Islam, have also been installed.
DSCC Administrator and freedom fighter Md Abdus Salam formally inaugurated the beautification work at Segunbagicha on Monday.
Speaking at the event, the DSCC administrator said no hawker would be allowed to occupy roads or footpaths in the capital. He said designated alternative locations had been arranged for hawkers and they would have to conduct their businesses there.
He warned that legal action, including seizure of goods, would be taken against anyone who returned to prohibited areas after eviction.
“We do not want to evict anyone, nor do we want poor hawkers to lose their capital. That is why alternative locations have been designated for them,” Abdus Salam said.
He said a “Holiday Market” had been arranged around Pir Yemeni Mazar on Fridays and Saturdays. On other days, hawkers have been allowed to operate on the footpath across from Ideal School.
The decisions were taken after several rounds of discussions with hawker association leaders, he said, adding that hawkers would not be allowed to block main roads or occupy other footpaths without permission.
The administrator said the area, which had previously been difficult for pedestrians to use comfortably, had been freed from hawker occupation through sustained efforts.
The DSCC plans to develop the area near the Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy as a clean cultural zone. City corporation cleaners will regularly maintain the area, while the academy and citizens also need to play a responsible role in preserving its cleanliness and environment, he said.
Calling for cooperation from journalists, hawkers and residents from all walks of life, Abdus Salam said keeping Dhaka clean and green was not solely the government’s responsibility but also a civic duty of all city residents.