The appearance of footpaths across Mirpur in the capital changed dramatically within a day following a fresh eviction drive by the Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC). Areas around Mirpur-10 roundabout, previously known for heavy congestion and crowded pavements lined with makeshift stalls, were noticeably clearer on Thursday. Pedestrians were able to walk more freely, while the number of vehicles parked indiscriminately along roadsides also appeared to have fallen.
The latest drive came after clashes broke out on Wednesday during an eviction operation targeting street vendors. Following the incident, the DNCC resumed its campaign against encroachment on roads and footpaths. Since then, the presence of hawkers has declined across several parts of Mirpur.
A visit to Mirpur-10 to Mirpur-14, Mirpur-2 roundabout, Mirpur-12 and Shewrapara found most of the footpaths largely empty. Places where vendors would normally set up stalls from the morning had little or no commercial activity. A few metal frames used for makeshift shops remained in some locations, but no goods were displayed for sale.
Some vendors were seen moving around nearby areas, apparently observing the situation. The sudden change has been welcomed by many pedestrians and local residents, who said unobstructed pavements made walking considerably easier. For vendors, however, the eviction has created uncertainty over their livelihoods.
A clothing seller who operated beside Mirpur Hope School told Samakal that vendors now had no clear way to earn a living. He called for designated places where they could continue their businesses.
Ruman Islam, an employee at a local clothing showroom, said the number of hawkers in Mirpur had increased significantly over the past several years. According to him, the situation had become so congested that even parts of the adjoining roads were difficult to use. Vendors would also install metal frames and use them as makeshift shops.
Hawkers demand rehabilitation
Sekender Hayat, general secretary of the Bangladesh Hawkers’ Union, said in a statement on Thursday that eviction alone could not resolve the issue. He argued that removing thousands of people who depend on street vending for their livelihoods without providing alternatives would create further hardship.
The organisation called for the formulation of a law governing hawkers, designated spaces for street vending, preparation of an official list of hawkers and an end to what it described as harassment of vendors. It also demanded that evictions be halted unless arrangements were made to rehabilitate those affected.
The issue reflects a longstanding challenge in Dhaka: keeping pavements open for pedestrians while addressing the livelihoods of people who depend on roadside trading. In densely populated commercial areas, the use of pavements for informal businesses can reduce space for pedestrians and contribute to congestion. At the same time, abrupt removal of such businesses can leave vendors without an immediate source of income.
DNCC says eviction campaign will continue
DNCC Administrator Shafiqul Islam Khan visited journalist Sifat at his home in West Shewrapara on Thursday after the journalist was injured during Wednesday’s clashes at Mirpur-10.
During the visit, the administrator enquired about Sifat’s health. Speaking to journalists afterwards, he said the campaign against illegal occupation of pavements would continue. He added that the authorities would consider constructive suggestions concerning the eviction campaign and the management of hawkers.
On the possibility of pavements being occupied again, Shafiqul Islam Khan said pedestrian walkways would be kept open for public use. If vendors returned to the pavements, he said, the city corporation would take stronger action to remove them.
DSCC sets out position on street vending
Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) Administrator Abdus Salam has also said hawkers would not be allowed to operate outside locations designated by the city corporation.
He made the remarks on Thursday after inspecting cleanliness, removal of illegal occupations from roads and issues causing public inconvenience in Dhaka’s Dhalpur area.
According to the DSCC administrator, certain pavements and locations have been designated for hawkers. Any vendor operating outside those authorised areas, including on major roads and pavements from Zero Point towards Sadarghat, would face eviction. He also said goods used in unauthorised street vending could be seized and legal action taken.
The position of the two city corporations indicates that the authorities are seeking to keep major pedestrian routes free from informal commercial activity while allowing vending only in designated locations.
Four cases filed, 25 arrested
Meanwhile, four cases have been filed over clashes, vandalism and arson linked to the pavement eviction campaign. Three cases were filed with Mirpur Model Police Station and one with Kafrul Police Station.
Police said around 1,000 people were named as accused across the four cases. By Thursday night, 25 people had been arrested.
Mirpur Model Police Station Investigation Inspector Mizanur Rahman said the city corporation had filed a case over the burning of a vehicle. Police filed another case over an alleged attack on law enforcement personnel, while traffic police filed a third case in connection with an attack on traffic police.
Between 400 and 500 unidentified people were named as accused in the three cases filed at Mirpur Model Police Station, according to the inspector. The 25 arrested individuals were subsequently sent to jail, he said.
Kafrul Police Station Officer-in-Charge Mohammad Saiful Islam said the city corporation had filed the fourth case over the alleged burning of a city corporation vehicle. Between 400 and 500 people were named as accused in that case.
The developments have temporarily transformed several busy parts of Mirpur, with pedestrians gaining more space on pavements while street vendors face uncertainty over where they can continue their businesses. The authorities’ stated focus is on keeping public walkways open and restricting vending to designated locations, while hawkers’ organisations are pressing for rehabilitation and regulated spaces for their livelihoods.
