Street vendors choke commercial hub ahead of Eid

Illegal street vendors have occupied sidewalks and large sections of roads across Cumilla city’s main commercial hub, particularly around Kandirpar, severely disrupting pedestrian movement and creating difficulties for established shop owners.

From Kandirpar’s Liberty intersection to Rajganj and Chalkbazar, and from the Town Hall area to Jhawtala Road, large stretches of sidewalks and streets have been taken over by floating vendors operating pushcarts, vans, and makeshift stalls.

The situation has worsened with the arrival of the holy month of Ramadan and the approaching Eid-ul-Fitr shopping season, making it increasingly difficult for pedestrians to move through the busy commercial areas.

In front of several markets in Kandirpar, nearly a hundred vendors have set up benches, pushcarts, and wheeled boxes, selling clothes, cosmetics, household goods, and other daily items. Many of the vendors have come from different upazilas of Cumilla and neighbouring districts to take advantage of the festive shopping rush.

Pedestrians travelling from New Market to Rajganj, particularly women and children, say they are facing severe difficulties as vendors occupy significant portions of the roads.

Some vendors admitted to paying daily fees to secure space on the streets. Vendors Esak and Md Yusuf said they pay “line money” every day to sit there, while another vendor, Sanowar, said they came to the city ahead of Eid and set up stalls wherever space was available.

Shoppers expressed frustration over the growing congestion. Selina Begum, who came to Kandirpar for Eid shopping, said it has become almost impossible to walk from Kandirpar to Monohorpur or Rajganj.

She added that areas near Rajeshwari Kalibari and Matribhandar have become extremely crowded, while the city corporation appears to be ignoring the issue.

Social worker Chandan Das said most sidewalks in the city’s commercial areas have already been occupied by vendors.

“If a permanent eviction drive is not carried out immediately, pedestrians will continue to suffer,” he warned.

Journalist Omar Farukee Tapas also stressed the need for swift action, saying public suffering will intensify if authorities fail to remove the illegal encroachments.

Residents alleged that the Cumilla City Corporation has taken little effective action despite open occupation of roads and allegations of extortion in broad daylight.

Contacted, Cumilla City Corporation Executive Engineer Mainuddin Chishti said eviction drives have been underway since Sunday, but controlling the situation has become difficult due to heavy population pressure in the area.

Cumilla Traffic Inspector Md Golam Sarowar said the issue cannot be solved through traffic policing alone.

“A coordinated effort involving the city corporation, elected representatives, members of parliament, and the business community is necessary to resolve the issue,” he said.