B.Mirror Desk: The Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) has adopted a strict stance to dismantle the long-standing cycle of illegal trade and extortion involving the encroachment of the capital’s footpaths. In addition to conducting continuous drives to evict hawkers and remove illegal structures obstructing pedestrian movement, the corporation has announced plans to take legal action against the influential figures and attackers backing the encroachers. Following an attack during an eviction drive at Mirpur-10, DNCC Administrator Md. Shafiqul Islam Khan Milton issued a stern warning, stating that the campaign to clear footpaths—aimed at ensuring unhindered movement for city residents—would continue, even if it meant proceeding “over my dead body.” This statement further underscored the DNCC’s uncompromising position against footpath encroachment in the capital.
The DNCC Administrator stated that eviction drives would persist against those disrupting pedestrian movement through illegal business activities. Ensuring the convenience of city residents is the City Corporation’s responsibility, and no obstruction or attack hindering the discharge of this duty will be tolerated.
A clash recently broke out during an operation to clear illegal encroachments from the footpath in front of Hope Market at Mirpur-10. Upon visiting the site later, the Administrator declared that no leniency would be shown to those involved in the attacks on City Corporation transport, police personnel, and journalists during the eviction drive.
Shafiqul Islam Khan mentioned that separate cases would be filed by both the DNCC and the police against those involved in the Mirpur-10 incident. They will be swiftly brought to justice based on the investigation, and legal action will also be taken regarding the assault on journalists.
He noted that drives to clear footpaths have been underway for several days and are being conducted in response to public demand. This is not merely an administrative task but also a moral obligation of the City Corporation toward the residents; therefore, the drives will continue out of a sense of duty. Public cooperation is essential for this initiative. The DNCC has announced an initiative to plant trees and create a pleasant environment for the unhindered movement of citizens in the area beneath the foot-over bridge at the Mirpur-10 roundabout, following the eviction of illegal encroachers. The Administrator stated that similar plans would be implemented in other areas under the DNCC’s jurisdiction as well.
Addressing the residents of Mirpur, Shafiqul Islam Khan remarked that recent events have demonstrated the public’s desire for encroachment-free sidewalks. He warned that if any attempts are made to re-occupy the sidewalks in the future—instigated by any party—legal action would be taken against the perpetrators.
Responding to questions from journalists regarding street vendors, the DNCC Administrator explained that a decision had previously been reached—following consultations and public meetings—that no vendors would set up stalls on the sidewalks. The DNCC had even issued 204 registration cards to facilitate their temporary, legal business operations elsewhere. However, after some time, many failed to adhere to that agreement.
He stated, “Sidewalks are meant for public movement; vendors will not be permitted to set up shop there.”
This firm stance by the DNCC is viewed as part of a strategy to establish a permanent solution for keeping sidewalks free from encroachment, as there have been complaints in the past of areas being re-occupied following eviction drives.
Amidst the DNCC’s strict position, investigations into sidewalks across various parts of the capital have revealed widespread allegations of encroachment and extortion. Findings indicate that hundreds of sidewalks and adjacent areas in key locations are controlled by individuals who regularly collect money. In some instances, charges range from Tk 150 to Tk 400 per shop daily, with additional fees reportedly collected for electricity or lighting.
The investigation claims that over 500 individuals across the capital are involved in controlling sidewalks and collecting extortion money. These individuals reportedly include political party activists, influential locals, and members of criminal gangs. However, it has not been possible to independently verify the statements of every individual named in the investigation.
The investigation also noted the presence of hundreds of shops along the “Hope-er Goli” (Hope Lane) at Mirpur-10 and the adjacent sidewalks. Allegations exist regarding the daily collection of money at fixed rates from these shops. Similar complaints have surfaced concerning the footpaths in front of Ideal School and Senpara Parbata Government Primary School in Mirpur-10, as well as areas adjacent to Radda and the Fire Service station.
Furthermore, investigations have revealed allegations of footpath encroachment and extortion across various parts of the capital, including New Market, Nilkhet, Gausia, Chandrima Market, Dhanmondi, Gulshan, Badda, Shyampur, Shonir Akhra, Mohammadpur, Adabar, Agargaon, Farmgate, Rampura, Moghbazar, and Karwan Bazar.
According to the investigation, there are allegations of large sums of money being collected daily from various sections of the footpaths in the New Market area. Such activities are reportedly centered particularly around the footpaths at Nilkhet intersection, Gausia, Chandrima Market, and Noorjahan Market.
It is reported that there are hundreds of shops on the footpaths stretching from Nilkhet intersection to the various gates of New Market, with allegations that extortion money is collected from them daily at fixed rates. Similarly, allegations of footpath control have emerged regarding the stretch from Dhanmondi Hawkers Market to Globe Shopping Center, Gausia to Eastern Mallika, Rafin Plaza to Chandni Chowk, and various parts of Nilkhet.
The investigation further claims that a system of illegal encroachment and extortion has developed on the footpaths inside New Market as well.
Allegations exist regarding the daily collection of money from vehicles at the Shyampur microbus stand and the extraction of extortion money from shops at the Shyampur wet market. Investigations have revealed similar allegations concerning various footpaths in Shonir Akhra, Mohammadpur, Adabar, Agargaon, Farmgate, Rampura, Moghbazar, and Karwan Bazar.
In the Karwan Bazar area, there are complaints of encroachment and extortion on footpaths adjacent to Janata Tower, Station Road, Tejkunipara, DIT Market, the wholesale fish market, the fruit market, and various shops. Similarly, allegations have been raised regarding money collection through local influential figures and ‘linemen’ on footpaths in Rampura, Moghbazar, and Agargaon.
However, no individual can be conclusively labeled a perpetrator without hearing the statements of the concerned parties and independently verifying the allegations. Investigations by the relevant administration and law enforcement agencies are required to determine the veracity of these claims.
Investigations reveal that while there are allegations of political patronage regarding footpath encroachment and extortion, the identity of the patrons has shifted over time. Although the same linemen and managers often remain active in collecting money at the ground level, there are allegations that the names of new influential figures are being used.
Sources claim that an economic network operates by facilitating footpath encroachment. Consequently, even when footpaths are cleared during eviction drives, shops reappear there after a short period.
Dr. Towhidul Haque, a crime analyst and Associate Professor at Dhaka University, believes that merely evicting marginalized hawkers will not provide a permanent solution to the problem of footpath encroachment.
He notes that hawkers often set up shop on footpaths after paying extortion money. Therefore, even if they are removed during eviction drives, encroachment can recur if the influential syndicates behind the practice remain active.
In his view, it is necessary to identify and take legal action against the influential individuals involved in footpath encroachment, provide opportunities for hawkers to conduct business in designated areas and at specific times, and implement an effective ‘holiday market’ system. At the same time, regular monitoring must be implemented to prevent the recurrence of encroachment.
Dr. Towhidul Haque states that it is crucial to identify the role of political or influential forces in the encroachment of footpaths; otherwise, merely evicting hawkers will not yield a long-term solution.
Experts in the technology sector have suggested increasing the use of technology to control footpath encroachment.
Engineer Md. Mofakkharul Islam, Managing Director of MySoft Heaven (BD), suggests that smart CCTV and AI-based video analytics could be deployed in key footpath and market areas. This would enable the automatic detection of illegal structures or new encroachments and the immediate transmission of alerts to the relevant authorities.
He also recommends creating specific digital maps for every footpath and storing them in a GIS-based database. This would allow for the rapid identification of which sections of a footpath are legally usable and where illegal encroachment has occurred.
Additionally, he suggests launching an app or a hotline for citizens to lodge complaints.
The issue of clearing the capital’s footpaths of encroachment extends beyond mere eviction drives; it involves multiple factors, including hawkers’ livelihoods, extortion, local influence, allegations of political patronage, law and order, and urban management.
However, the recent statement by DNCC Administrator Shafiqul Islam Khan Milton clarifies the organization’s stance: there will be no compromise regarding keeping footpaths—intended for pedestrian movement—free from encroachment. He has also warned that legal action will be taken against any obstruction of eviction drives, attacks, or attempts to re-occupy the spaces.
The primary challenge now facing the DNCC is to maintain regular and effective eviction drives while simultaneously preventing re-encroachment, identifying the economic networks behind the encroachment, and devising realistic alternative arrangements for hawkers. Citizens are now keenly observing how effectively and sustainably this firm stance—announced by the administrator—is implemented at the ground level.