For Shariful Islam, a resident of Mirpur for nearly two decades, walking along the footpath at Mirpur-10 with his wife and two children was an emotional experience.<\/p>\n
Holding his children’s hands as they walked, Shariful said he had never before been able to enjoy such a simple family walk as the footpaths had long remained occupied by illegal shops and vendors.<\/p>\n
“I have lived here for 20 years, but I could never walk this way holding my children’s hands. I cannot put into words how I feel today,” he said.<\/p>\n
Shariful’s experience is now being shared by thousands of residents in Mirpur as footpaths that were once virtually impassable have been cleared for students, parents, commuters and elderly people.<\/p>\n
During a recent visit, Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) workers were seen cleaning roads and footpaths in the area. The space beneath the foot-over bridge at the Mirpur-10 roundabout, which was previously occupied illegally, is also being landscaped with trees to create a more pleasant environment.<\/p>\n
The transformation follows a DNCC eviction drive on September 30 targeting illegal roadside shops in Mirpur-10 and Hope School Road.<\/p>\n
Before the drive, makeshift markets occupied nearly two-thirds of the road in some areas, particularly around Hope School and Mirpur Girls Ideal School, creating severe congestion and forcing pedestrians to use the roads.<\/p>\n
DNCC Administrator Md Shafiqul Islam Khan told BSS that the initiative would be expanded across the entire north city area.<\/p>\n
“Footpaths will not be allowed to remain occupied by illegal shops,” he said, adding that those who return after eviction and obstruct pedestrian movement would face fines and legal action.<\/p>\n
He said hawkers would continue to have opportunities to earn their livelihoods, but only at designated locations where their businesses would not cause public inconvenience.<\/p>\n
Traffic police have also noticed a significant improvement in the area.<\/p>\n
Traffic Sergeant Abdul Aziz, stationed at Mirpur-10, said vehicles previously appeared to be moving through a market as pedestrians were forced onto the roads by occupied footpaths.<\/p>\n
“Now the roads are much clearer. Vehicles are moving on the roads and people are walking on the footpaths. The pressure on our work has also decreased,” he said.<\/p>\n
Students and teachers have welcomed the change. Dhaka University student Sheikh Ahona, who travels from Mirpur-10 by metro rail, said she previously had to push through crowds and roadside shops to reach the station, often causing her to arrive late for classes.<\/p>\n
“Now I can reach the station within minutes using the open footpath,” she said.<\/p>\n
Parents have also expressed relief, saying they can now walk with their children more safely and comfortably.<\/p>\n
The benefits have also extended to established businesses in the area. Shahjahan, a seller at Shah Ali Plaza, said the surroundings had become cleaner and customers were returning to the formal market.<\/p>\n
Drivers, meanwhile, said travel times through the previously congested area had also been reduced.<\/p>\n
Pedestrian Shahidul Islam said a journey that once took around 20 minutes can now be completed in just three or four minutes.<\/p>\n
City dwellers hope the improvement will be sustained and replicated in other parts of Dhaka so that footpaths remain what they are intended to be – safe and accessible spaces for pedestrians.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
-BSS<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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