Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) on Thursday declared the main road from Paltan Mor through Gulistan Zero Point to North South Road hawker-free, warning that anyone defying the ban would face immediate legal action.
DSCC Administrator Abdus Salam made the announcement while visiting the stretch to inspect the situation on the ground.
He said no hawkers would be allowed to set up shop on the main road between Paltan Mor and North South Road, via Gulistan Zero Point, under any circumstances.
"We have held discussions with representatives of various hawker organisations more than once. They themselves have pledged to vacate these main roads voluntarily. With everyone's collective cooperation, we want to restore relief to city dwellers on the footpaths and roads," Salam said.
The DSCC administrator said only a limited number of registered hawkers would be allowed to operate from designated spots on the eastern footpath adjacent to Ramna Bhaban, with space left for pedestrians to move freely.
Stressing that there was no scope for hawkers to sit haphazardly outside the designated place, time, number and registration, causing public suffering, he warned that no one would be spared for violating the rules.
Responding to hawkers' demand for a reduction in registration fees, Salam said the matter had already been brought to the notice of the ministry concerned. "Further decisions will be taken in line with the ministry's directives."
During the visit, the DSCC administrator remained on the spot for more than an hour, overseeing the drive to clear the main road and footpaths from Paltan Mor to Gulistan Zero Point of encroachment.