Who rent the walkways to vendors?

Two similar events occurred in two neighbouring countries within two weeks. In India, the Bombay High Court issued an order in the third week of April that unauthorised hawkers cannot permanently take over Mumbai footpaths and public roads. Again, last week, the High Court asked the government bodies concerned to submit a list of the persons involved in grabbing, renting, and selling the walkway spaces in Dhaka.

Vendors' illegal encroachment of footpaths, streets and roads in these cities has become so troublesome that the citizen bodies seek intervention from the High Court. Almost all the major cities in most South Asian countries have long been grappling with the problem. It also appears that neither local governments, nor law enforcement agencies take necessary actions to keep the walkways and streets free from vendors. The result is no space for pedestrians to walk freely and safely and reduced room for vehicles on roads and streets. All these lead to regular traffic congestion.

In Bangladesh, occupying the footpaths and streets by the makeshift vendors become a severe problem in Dhaka and many other cities.  In the name of providing livelihood for poor people, illegally renting the footpaths and roadsides to vendors or hawkers has become a big business. A group of leaders and activists of the ruling party, having a nexus with a section of law enforcement agency members and local government staffers, are operating the business, which is actually a rent-seeking activity. Theoretically, when a firm uses its resources to procure an unwarranted monetary gain from external elements, be it directly or indirectly, without giving anything in return to them or society, it is labelled as rent-seeking. Those who mobilise vendors and back their setup on footpaths and streets in exchange for regular tolls are also rent seekers. They have grabbed public space illegally and are earning money without any investment.

The nefarious actions of these rent seekers have left residents and pedestrians feeling powerless, with no avenue for redress. This is why the High Court has had to step in, ensuring that citizen rights are upheld. It's worth noting that this is not the first time the apex courts of these countries have taken action on this issue. Despite issuing a series of orders and instructions over the years, the administrative authorities have largely evaded compliance, leading to persistence of the problem.

Two city corporations in Dhaka are regularly collecting holding and trade taxes from residents and businesses.  In return, these stakeholders rightfully expect unobstructed access to footpaths and walkways for free movements. Similarly, traders in various shopping centres, who also pay taxes, rents, and other charges, deserve to conduct their business without hindrance. However, the presence of street vendors, who are paying illegal tolls to the rent-seekers, poses a significant obstacle to these stakeholders.

Those who argue that makeshift street vending provides a livelihood opportunity for some poor people are not always correct. The unregulated street vending has little to do with the modest income of these people. Considering the reality of street vending, permission may be given to these vendors and hawkers to sell their items at a particular place at a particular time. This kind of arrangement has been tried in some places earlier. Unfortunately, it did not work in most cases due to the laxity of the authorities concerned and strong opposition from the rent-seekers.

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