DSCC takes initiative to relocate street vendors

With the aim to spare people of sufferings particularly from traffic congestion, Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) is planning to shift hawkers from footpaths and streets of the Gulistan area to other places to ensure safe and smooth movements of the pedestrians and vehicles. 

Meanwhile, Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) Mayor Annisul Huq yesterday asked the government to approve its organogram immediately to ease acute manpower crisis of the corporation.

A 16-member committee, headed by DSCC's chief estate officer Khalid Ahmed was formed to find a suitable solution to shift hawkers from footpaths and streets of the Gulistan area.

"We are planning to clear the footpaths and roads at Gulistan initially and gradually other roads and footpaths will come under the initiative," said DSCC mayor Sayeed Khokon at a view exchanging meeting with the leaders of Bangladesh Hawkers' Federation at Nagar Bhaban.

He said the committee will submit a report by the next seven working days.

Khokon also said from Thursday no hawkers will be allowed on the streets of Gulistan area.

At the meeting, the leaders and activists of the hawkers' federation demanded to allow them to sit on footpaths along one side of the roads and complained they have to give illegal toll to a section of police and some political persons to sit on footpaths and streets. Addressing the complaint, Khokon directed the hawkers' leaders to not to give any toll to the police, political person or any staff of the city corporation, to conduct business.

"They will inform the city corporation authorities if anyone demands toll from them," Khokon said.

The federation leaders also urged the city corporation to introduce token system to allow them to sit on the footpaths.

On the other side of the town, in a bid to carry out DNCC's activities properly, Annisul sought financial and administrative aid from the Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives.

The meeting was held between the DNCC's officials and Engr Khandker Mosharraf Hossain, minister of local government, rural development and cooperatives at a capital's hotel, says a press release.

The minister assured the mayor of cooperation in implementing projects to ease crisis.

Mosharraf also suggested DNCC, DSCC and Narayanganj City Corporation to work in coordination with Water Supply and Sewerage Authority (WASA).