Khulna footpaths for vendors, not pedestrians
It seems footpaths are not meant for pedestrians to use, rather it's a place for hawkers and vendors to conduct their business in the Khulna city lately.
During rush hours in the city, residents have to squeeze between the bare minimum space left for them on the footpaths due to this occupation. Additionally, in some places, illegally parked vehicles and construction materials also take up a lot of space.
Allegedly, this illegal encroachment has been going on with the help of a few corrupt officials of Khulna City Corporation (KCC) and law enforcers.
Visiting different city areas including Cemetery Road, Sheikh Para, Moylapota, PTI intersection, Royal crossing, Shantidham, Nirala, Gollamai, Tutpara, Sonadanga, KD Ghosh Road, Shibbari, BL college, Phulbari Gate areas, Picture Palace mor, Dakbangla, Clay Road, West Mekot Road, Gallamari More, Sonadanga Bus Stand intersection and Daulatpur stand, this correspondent saw that hawkers and vendors occupied almost the entire footpaths, leaving no space for pedestrians.
Spaces on the road, spanning from Dakbangla intersection to Station Road crossing were abuzz with hawkers calling upon customers.
Trina Bairagi, an eighth grader of Hogol Bunia Hat Bati High School of Batiaghata upazila, came to buy a dress with her father Bipro Das Bairagi on Thursday at Nixon Market.
Throughout the half-kilometer path around Dakbangla and Clay road, she couldn't walk freely as almost the entirety of the footpath was occupied. "Pedestrians can't move easily from Baro Bazar to Dakbangla," said Bipro Das, her father. "The suffering multiplies during monsoon when the road gets waterlogged," he added.
"Both sides of the roads at Daulatpur Bus stand, Traffic mor, BL college gate, remain crowded with customers of makeshift shops throughout the day, hampering both vehicle and pedestrian movement," said Md Rassel, a development worker and resident of Maheshwarpasha of ward-1.
Babul Hawlader, secretary member of Khulna Nagorik Samaj, said it has become a tradition to grab footpaths or in front of business establishments. "Some leaders lease the footpath to hawkers," he said.
Five hawkers confessed to this correspondent that they are on the footpath to make a living and they have to pay a minimum Tk 30 to Tk 200 per day to extortionists who are either engaged by law enforcers or local ruling party leaders.
Hassan Al Mamun, officer-in-charge of Khulna Sadar Police Station, said they assist the city corporation as per its requirement to evict the grabbers.
He denied the allegation of bribery.
"None from the police is involved in it. Some may have impersonated their name," he added.
KCC estate officer Nuruzzaman Talukder denied the allegation of receiving money from shop owners.
According to KCC and NGOs, there are around 10,000 to 15,000 vendors who maintain their livelihood through makeshift shops on footpaths and streets.
MDA Babul Rana, general secretary of Awami League's Khulna city unit, denied the allegation of extorting money from encroachers.
"Awami League will cooperate with the city corporation in evicting encroachers if the mayor desires so," he added.
Contacted, KCC Mayor Talukder Abdul Khaleque said they often conduct drives to evict the occupiers but they come back repeatedly as influential political leaders harbour them.
"We need a collective effort. A plan is underway for making a separate market for the city hawkers," he added.
Comments