DistantNews
๐Ÿ‡ง๐Ÿ‡ฉ Bangladesh /Environment & Climate

Dhaka City Corporations Launch Coordinated Initiative to Regulate Street Vendors, Ensure Walkable Sidewalks

From Daily Star · (12m ago) English Positive tone

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

TLDR

  • Dhaka's city corporations have launched coordinated initiatives to regulate street vendors and ensure pedestrian-friendly sidewalks.
  • The program includes issuing digital ID cards to vendors and relocating them to designated areas with specific operating hours.
  • This effort aims to create a cleaner, more organized, and pedestrian-friendly Dhaka, aligning with a "Clean City, Green City" vision.

Dhaka is taking a significant step towards a more organized and pedestrian-friendly urban environment with the launch of coordinated initiatives by the Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) and Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC). The "Dhaka City Hawker Management Policy-2026" aims to bring order to the chaotic street vendor landscape, a long-standing challenge for the capital.

The digital ID system will ensure transparency and accountability, while traffic police can easily verify vendorsโ€™ legality and assigned locations.

โ€” Md Zahirul IslamExplaining the benefits of the new digital identification system for vendors.

By issuing digital ID cards and relocating vendors to designated zones with set operating hours, authorities are attempting to balance the livelihoods of hawkers with the need for clear sidewalks and efficient traffic flow. This move, described as "humane and transformative," is crucial for improving the daily experience of Dhaka's residents, who often struggle with congested pavements.

Sidewalks must keep at least five to six feet clear for pedestrians.

โ€” Md Zahirul IslamStating a key requirement for pedestrian access.

This initiative aligns with the broader vision of a "Clean City, Green City." While the implementation will require sustained effort and cooperation from all stakeholders, including hawkers, law enforcement, and the public, it represents a promising stride towards a more structured and livable Dhaka. The focus on transparency through digital IDs and the commitment to preserving spaces for public use, such as children's sports activities, are particularly commendable aspects of this policy.

The initiative is humane and transformative, urging cooperation among hawkers, law enforcement, and the public.

โ€” Md Abdus SalamDescribing the nature and goals of the hawker regulation program.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Daily Star in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.