After clearance drives, street vendors are quickly reclaiming Dhaka footpaths

For trader Nilufa, the back-and-forth of shop closures and reopenings is familiar: “They remove us, but things always get sorted later.”

After eviction drives in Dhaka, illegal shops on roads and footpaths are quickly being reoccupied.

Some vendors avoid fully reopening to sidestep trouble but continue small-scale business, while others wait, hoping to resume once police monitoring eases.

The city’s clearance drives resemble an endless “rat race”, where enforcement and evasion occur in quick succession.

On Sunday, police acknowledged that clearing footpaths alone cannot ensure compliance.

They seek support from government agencies and citizens while continuing “follow-up operations” to maintain order.

The drives began after Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, 15 days into the new government, consulted traffic experts on Mar 2 to ease congestion.

On Mar 24, at a special meeting on “Traffic Management and Modernisation of Dhaka City”, she instructed a comprehensive clearance of illegally occupied streets and footpaths.

Following a government notice, police launched phased operations from Apr 1, warning that violations would attract fines and jail sentences.

From Wednesday to Sunday, 60 people were fined or jailed, collecting a total of Tk 1.15 million.

Yet on Sunday, at Mohakhali Bus Terminal, vendors returned.

Rabiul, a banana seller, said: “Police came on Saturday. We left, but returned the next day. If we don’t sell, we can’t survive -- bananas will rot.”

Similarly, Nilufa sold tea and cigarettes in small quantities, acknowledging that she had been unable to operate for three days but would resume cautiously.

Police confirmed the pattern.

Tejgaon Traffic Deputy Commissioner Md Rafiqul Islam said vendors often return after eviction.

He stressed that long-term compliance requires collaboration with city authorities and residents, alongside follow-up operations.

Violators may face stricter enforcement, including confiscation, he added.

In areas like Farmgate, Mohakhali, and Gulshan, vendors partially resumed business.

While permanent shop extensions were targeted, temporary vendors’ relocation remains a priority.

Citizens have welcomed the initiative but note that sustained political and administrative will is crucial for lasting results.