The Dhaka South City Corporation has unveiled an encroachment-free, aesthetically upgraded footpath in front of Dhaka Medical College Hospital, marking a fresh push to reclaim pedestrian space while polishing the capital's public face. Alongside the facelift, the corporation has floated plans for a license-based system to regulate temporary hawker businesses.
The pilot project-aptly titled "Creating an Aesthetic Environment on Footpaths"-was inaugurated on Wednesday afternoon, with DSCC Administrator and valiant freedom fighter Md. Abdus Salam attending as chief guest. The initiative was implemented by the corporation's Waste Management Department.
A walk through the stretch reveals a striking transformation. Around 1,350 feet of wall bordering the Dhaka University Central Playground, opposite the hospital's emergency department, now bursts with vibrant graffiti portraying rural heritage and floral finesse.
The revamp includes 250 square flower tubs, 300 round tubs, 649 plants, 50 seating benches, and 20 RCC waste bins-turning a once-cluttered corridor into a calmer, cleaner, and more comforting zone for patients and their attendants.
DSCC Public Relations Officer Russell Rahman said the footpath had long been choked by hawkers, squeezing pedestrians into a daily struggle. A recent eviction drive cleared the congestion, paving the way for this pilot redevelopment. If the model proves effective, similar spruced-up, obstruction-free walkways will be rolled out across other key city spots, he added.
Addressing the inauguration, Administrator Abdus Salam struck a firm yet flexible tone.
Unregulated street vending, he said, will no longer be tolerated on footpaths due to the public inconvenience it creates. At the same time, he assured a humane approach toward hawkers.
The corporation plans to introduce a licensing regime for temporary vendors, supported by a comprehensive database being prepared with law enforcement agencies. Once finalised, a limited number of vendors will be permitted to operate in designated zones and within fixed hours.
As part of a broader rehabilitation roadmap, DSCC is also exploring the introduction of curated "Holiday Markets" and "Night Markets" to accommodate displaced hawkers in an organised manner.
Chief Waste Management Officer Air Commodore Mahbubur Rahman Talukder described the initiative as a pilot with promising potential. With public support and sustained coordination, he said, more footpaths under DSCC jurisdiction could soon see similar makeovers-melding mobility with modern urban aesthetics.
