Editorial
Pedestrian-unfriendly footpaths
HC directives must be implemented without further ado
Among all the big and little things that make Dhaka one of the most 'uninhabitable' cities in the world, are its streets. We refer not only to the traffic congestion on the main roads but to the abysmal state of the sidewalks for pedestrians. Getting from one end of a street to another on foot involves broken paths with potholes, garbage and not least, traffic of its own caused by unauthorised establishments. These include shops spilling over from the original establishments onto the footpaths, as well as independent vendors selling everything from clothes, shoes and jewellery to food and electronics. While it may seem convenient to have everything within one's toes' reach, it does not justify the illegal occupation of public space, creating obstacles for walkers, for the commercial profit of a few.
Eleven years into the issuing of a High Court rule ordering the clearing of footpaths, nothing has changed. Those advised to take specific measures claim they received no such instructions.
While illegal establishments are sometimes evicted when issued ultimatums by the authorities, they usually come back. Lack of political commitment and the profit motives of those who extort from businesses on the footpaths are key reasons behind the inertia regarding implementation of the HC directives. It should also be kept in mind that for hawkers who crowd the sidewalks, selling their ware is their means of livelihood and if they are to be evicted from the roadside then they must be allotted an alternative space for trade. We urge the authorities to take immediate and stringent measures to implement the HC directives and clear and improve the condition of footpaths in order to make them pedestrian-friendly, but to also make alternative arrangements for those who make their living there.
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