Hawkers occupy Ctg walkways again

CHITTAGONG: Hawkers in the city's New Market and Riazuddin Bazaar areas have again occupied footpaths ahead of Eid-ul-Fitr, much to cause sufferings to pedestrians, reports BSS.
Pedestrians alleged that law enforcement agencies do not pay heed to their sufferings caused by severe traffic congestion due to unknown reasons.
Abdur Rahim, a pedestrian, alleged that hawkers plus shop owners have occupied two-kilometre footpaths on both sides of Station road, New Market intersection, Jubilee road, City College and Alkaran and its adjoining areas to do business before the upcoming Eid. Another pedestrian Jashim Uddin told BSS that people mostly from middle-income group go to these markets for shopping and consequently, fall victim to different types of fraudulent, criminal activities and snatching.
Business activities at different markets, including Reazuddin Bazaar and Tamakumandi Lane, are badly affected as walkways are narrowed due to set up of hundreds of makeshift shops in front of these markets, said Mohammad Alauddin, a shop owner at Reazuddin Bazzar.
The wholesale and retail business hub of Reazuddin Bazaar was the first choice of middle-income families, but the customers are now preferring other shopping spots to avoid unpleasant hassles and congestion at Reazuddin Bazar, he added.
Most of the traders of the market alleged that recently their business has fallen by 35 per cent compared to the previous years due to the presence of hawkers on footpaths. Mohammad Musa, a wholesaler at Riazuddin Bazaar, alleged that law-enforcement agencies launched drives to make footpaths free-from hawkers, but all of their efforts went in vain due to unknown reasons. The customers mostly female and those who come from villages easily fall victim to a section of frauds.
Besides, female customers often face physical harassment by the hawkers, said some pedestrians. Talking to BSS, Officer-in-Charge of Kotwali Police Station Jashim Uddin said they evicted hawkers several times, but they reoccupied pedestrians' pavements.
Meanwhile, Chittagong City Corporation (CCC) decided to introduce identity cards for registered hawkers and not to evict them from their exiting spots before the upcoming Eid.
The CCC has also embarked upon a plan to bring discipline in the business of hawkers by providing each of them with a selected spot for a particular time from July 1, CCC officials said.

Hawkers occupy Ctg walkways again

CHITTAGONG: Hawkers in the citys New Market and Riazuddin Bazaar areas have again occupied footpaths ahead of Eid-ul-Fitr, much to cause sufferings to pedestrians, reports BSS. Pedestrians alleged that law enforcement agencies do not pay heed to their sufferings caused by severe traffic congestion due to unknown reasons. Abdur Rahim, a pedestrian, alleged that hawkers plus shop owners have occupied two-kilometre footpaths on both sides of Station road, New Market intersection, Jubilee road, City College and Alkaran and its adjoining areas to do business before the upcoming Eid. Another pedestrian Jashim Uddin told BSS that people mostly from middle-income group go to these markets for shopping and consequently, fall victim to different types of fraudulent, criminal activities and snatching. Business activities at different markets, including Reazuddin Bazaar and Tamakumandi Lane, are badly affected as walkways are narrowed due to set up of hundreds of makeshift shops in front of these markets, said Mohammad Alauddin, a shop owner at Reazuddin Bazzar. The wholesale and retail business hub of Reazuddin Bazaar was the first choice of middle-income families, but the customers are now preferring other shopping spots to avoid unpleasant hassles and congestion at Reazuddin Bazar, he added. Most of the traders of the market alleged that recently their business has fallen by 35 per cent compared to the previous years due to the presence of hawkers on footpaths. Mohammad Musa, a wholesaler at Riazuddin Bazaar, alleged that law-enforcement agencies launched drives to make footpaths free-from hawkers, but all of their efforts went in vain due to unknown reasons. The customers mostly female and those who come from villages easily fall victim to a section of frauds. Besides, female customers often face physical harassment by the hawkers, said some pedestrians. Talking to BSS, Officer-in-Charge of Kotwali Police Station Jashim Uddin said they evicted hawkers several times, but they reoccupied pedestrians pavements. Meanwhile, Chittagong City Corporation (CCC) decided to introduce identity cards for registered hawkers and not to evict them from their exiting spots before the upcoming Eid. The CCC has also embarked upon a plan to bring discipline in the business of hawkers by providing each of them with a selected spot for a particular time from July 1, CCC officials said.