Unauthorised street vendors to have goods seized, face lawsuits

Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) Administrator Bir Muktijoddha Md Abdus Salam on Saturday warned that unauthorised street vendors occupying public spaces will have their goods seized and face legal action.
He informed that the move comes as the DSCC is stepping up efforts to clear streets and sidewalks and ease traffic congestion in the capital.
Salam made these comments while speaking as chief guest at a special mosquito control and cleanliness drive organised as part of the DSCC’s weekly “Cleaning Day”, conducted across all 75 wards under the corporation simultaneously.
He explained that unauthorised street vendors and stalls indiscriminately dump waste by the roadside, further obstructing pedestrian and vehicle movement.
So, the corporation will take legal action against the individuals involved to relieve city residents of these problems, Salam said.
He also stressed that appeals for consideration based on humanitarian grounds does not justify setting up shops by obstructing public spaces like streets and sidewalks.
Regarding ongoing efforts to permanently remove unauthorised stalls and vendors in Dhaka’s New Market area, Salam said they would conduct another eviction drive next week.
Citing how stagnant water is a breeding ground for mosquito-borne diseases such as dengue, Salam said eliminating waste produced and discarded by unauthorised shops is key to reduce the threat.
The DSCC administrator also ensured that they would continue organising cleanliness campaigns and awareness rallies to help protect the environment and reduce traffic in Dhaka.
Furthermore, Salam informed that a secondary transfer station (STS) for managing waste is being relocated from in front of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) office in Malibagh, with a parking facility to take its place.
He said the construction of a new STS for managing the area’s waste is underway and should be complete by the end of this month.
The cleanliness drive began in front of the CID office and proceeded through Shantinagar, Kakrail and Nayapaltan before ending in Fakirapul. During the operation, the administrator inspected waste clearance and the removal of unauthorised shops at various locations.
DSCC cleaning and mosquito control workers participated in the daylong programme alongside local residents. Loudspeaker announcements and awareness rallies were also organised in different wards.