Savar Correspondent :
The sidewalks on both sides of the Dhaka-Aricha Highway at Savar Bazar Bus Stand are now occupied by hawkers. Hawkers have occupied the entire sidewalk and foot over bridge for pedestrian crossings. By setting up these temporary shops, the sidewalks have been completely closed to pedestrians. As a result, pedestrians are forced to walk on the road. As the traffic is being disrupted, accidents and severe traffic jams are increasing on the highways. Even if vehicles are moving on the road, pedestrians have to use this road at the risk of their lives.
Although various steps have been taken by the police administration and Savar Municipality to evict the hawkers, they are not getting much benefit. These illegal shops have been set up in the name of a few hawker associations by collecting regular dues every day. Locals feel that the hawker problem is not being solved due to lack of regular supervision by the concerned authorities.
Md. Maju Mollah, Owner of Mollah Super Shop said people had to push on sidewalks and bridges. The hawkers are shouting. The sidewalks around here are occupied by hawkers all year round. We have to read a lot of discomfort as soon as we get on the bridge. The number of hawkers is increasing day by day and almost every day there are incidents like pickpockets.
Quader Mollah, general secretary of Savar Upazila Hawkers League, said, “Our long standing demand is to rehabilitate the hawkers at Savar Bazar bus stand.” The problem can be solved by rehabilitating the hawkers through proper planning.
Haji Abul Gani, Mayor of Savar Municipality, said that they are unable to solve the hawker problem of Bazar bus stand. They are sitting on the road-highway. Hawkers have been evicted from the Foot over Bridge more than once by the municipality. Only police and Upazila Administration can solve this problem. But if the hawkers are rehabilitated, all the problems will be solved.
