Reclaiming footpaths for public use

Footpaths on both sides of the Tejgaon-Mohakhali Road starting from the Mohakhali Bus Terminal in Dhaka city have surreptitiously been occupied by vendors. They have erected permanent structures at different portions of the walkways. Though illegal, selling products on footpaths by vendors has become almost normal over time, but the case in Mohakhali and many other places is starkly different. Vendors here have occupied the footpaths not by makeshift shops but by permanent structures. They have 24-hour power connection to their shops to run fans, and even fridges.

Dhaka is plagued by unplanned urbanisation, including illegal occupation of footpaths by street vendors, hawkers, makeshift shops, construction materials, and vehicles. The footpaths, which are meant for movement of pedestrians, have become a means of survival for many.

According to different estimates, Dhaka is a city of over 20 million people, and its streets are among the most congested in the world. In such a dense urban environment, footpaths should serve as safe, accessible spaces for pedestrians, but the reality is different here. A study by the Dhaka Transport Coordination Authority (DTCA) estimates that nearly 60 per cent of the city's footpaths are illegally occupied, forcing pedestrians to risk their lives on the streets amid vehicular traffic.

Busy areas like Gulistan, Farmgate, Motijheel, Mirpur, New Market, Jatrabari, Mohakhali are notorious for the illegal occupation of footpaths. Pedestrians face obstacles because of makeshift stalls as well as parked vehicles and construction debris in these areas. Illegal occupation persists largely due to poor governance and lax enforcement of law. According to media reports, a nexus between a section of local political leaders and members of law enforcement agency gives protection to the occupants in exchange for money. Governments usually show apathy to the problem fearing that strong action against the occupants might cause erosion to their popularity. Most of the illegal occupants are marginalised people. With limited access to formal employment and affordable commercial spaces, footpaths become an inevitable choice for them to earn a living. Still, city authorities occasionally conduct eviction campaigns to free footpaths. But these efforts are often met with resistance and are criticised for their lack of sustainability and compassion for the vendors.

In some areas, the authorities have allocated specific zones for street vendors to balance the needs of vendors with those of pedestrians. But the efforts yield little results as many vendors continue to operate outside these zones. Thus Dhaka has become one of the least pedestrian-friendly cities in the world.

With footpaths occupied, pedestrians are compelled to walk on busy roads, putting their lives at risk. Traffic accidents involving pedestrians have become a common phenomenon in Dhaka, and the lack of safe walkways is a significant contributing factor here. 

Dhaka has earned notoriety for its terrible traffic jams for which occupation of footpaths is partially responsible. Encroachments often spill over onto the roads, reducing space for vehicular movement and creating bottlenecks at places. It increases travel time and contributes to economic losses due to wasted hours in traffic. Footpath encroachments also lead to waste accumulation. Most of the vendors are not aware of and do not adhere to waste disposal rules, turning footpaths into unhygienic spaces.

Addressing the illegal occupation of footpaths in Dhaka requires a multifaceted and sustainable approach. Urban planning for the city must prioritise pedestrians while the authorities should adopt stricter measures to prevent occupation of footpaths. More importantly, political leaders and members of law enforcement agency patronising illegal occupants should be brought to book.

Illegal occupation of footpaths is not only a nuisance and a hazard, it is also a reflection of flaws in urban governance and public space management. We need to keep in mind that a city cannot thrive without prioritising the needs of its pedestrians. By reclaiming footpaths for public use, Dhaka can take a significant step towards becoming a more liveable and inclusive city.

[email protected]