DSCC Reopens Segunbagicha Footpath to Pedestrians After Eviction Drive

Dhaka South City Corporation has reclaimed a footpath in Segunbagicha and reopened it for pedestrians after eviction, renovation and beautification work.

The renovated stretch now features waste bins, benches and repainted boundary walls. As part of beautification, murals of 10 prominent figures in Bangladeshi art and culture have been installed.

Among those featured are Shilpacharya Zainul Abedin, filmmaker Satyajit Ray, Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore and National Poet Kazi Nazrul Islam.

DSCC Administrator Md Abdus Salam inaugurated the footpath Monday morning.

Speaking at the inauguration, Salam said no hawker would be allowed to occupy roads or footpaths in capital.

No hawker will be allowed to set up business by occupying roads or footpaths. Alternative designated spaces have been arranged for them and they must conduct business there. If anyone returns to prohibited location after eviction, legal action will be taken, including confiscation of goods, he said.

Abdus Salam said city corporation did not want to evict anyone or cause financial losses to poor hawkers. Instead, it designated alternative locations through discussions with hawker association leaders.

He said a Holiday Market had been arranged in Pir Yameni Mazar area on Fridays and Saturdays. On other days, hawkers would be allowed to operate on footpath along road opposite Ideal School.

No hawker will be allowed to block main road or occupy any other footpath without permission, he said.

Referring to reclaimed area, he said pedestrians had previously been unable to move comfortably through location because of encroachment.

Through sustained efforts, area has now been freed from hawker occupation. We want to develop this area adjacent to Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy as clean and culturally vibrant environment, he said.

He added DSCC cleaners would regularly maintain area, while Shilpakala Academy and citizens would also have to play responsible role in preserving its cleanliness and aesthetic appeal.

Calling for cooperation from journalists, hawkers and people from all sections of society, Abdus Salam said keeping Dhaka clean and green was not solely responsibility of government.

Keeping Dhaka clean and green is not responsibility of government alone; it is civic responsibility of all Dhaka residents, he said.