Each year, the government launches drives to clear Dhaka's footpaths. On day one of a 5-day effort in April 2026, authorities fined and jailed 23 people, collecting Tk 192,000. By noon, hawkers had already returned -- like clockwork.
They come back not to rebel, but to survive.
For years, Dhaka has responded to hawkers with repeated clearances, especially before official visits. Yet their persistence points to deeper issues. Over 300,000 street vendors support the informal economy, providing jobs and affordable goods. Real solutions require understanding their role, not just removal.
Hawkers exist because people need them.
Roadside tea stalls, vegetable carts, kitchenware and racks of affordable clothes are part of Dhaka's daily life. For many with tight budgets and long commutes, hawkers offer affordable, convenient options that formal shops cannot match.
When officials push hawkers away, demand remains. During the April drive, most locations were only briefly cleared. Hawkers told reporters they would reopen after noon -- and they did.
This cycle is not just about weak enforcement; it reflects a lack of new ideas and planning.
Hawkers rely on busy streets for income. Relocation often fails because vendors lose customers and return to high-demand areas.
Random crackdowns create uncertainty and drive unofficial fees, resulting in a system that is neither fully legal nor illegal -- just unstable.
Dhaka manages not regulation, but a kind of disorder maintained over time.
Other Asian cities have faced the same problem and have found solutions by rethinking how informal trade fits into city life.
In Bangkok, officials set up time-based vending, allowing hawkers to work during certain hours and keeping traffic moving during rush hours. This reduced congestion during the busiest hours and allowed hawkers to earn a living at other times.
In Jakarta, moving vendors to organised spaces near busy areas brought stability and cleanliness, benefiting both vendors and the city.
Singapore's hawker centres prioritise cleanliness, order and access. Kuala Lumpur's night markets turn streets into lively business areas after dark.
These cities did not solve the problem by elimination, but by integration -- turning hawkers into features of urban life and local heritage. Night markets attract tourists and create opportunities for small vendors and performers.
Recently, the Prime Minister called for the swift rehabilitation of hawkers, urging authorities to designate spaces for them and protect their livelihoods while maintaining city order. This marks a significant policy shift toward integration rather than removal.
Dhaka needs flexible regulations, clearly defined vending hours and zones, a simple licensing system, and urban design that allow hawkers and pedestrians to coexist.
Some streets could allow vending at night after traffic eases, balancing movement and business.
Relocation should create accessible local vending zones with improved lighting, sanitation and waste bins. Recognition through a simple license linked to a national ID can reduce unofficial payments and increase accountability.
City design should provide wider sidewalks, designated vendor spots and clear walking lanes -- practical changes that reduce conflict more than enforcement.
Perhaps the most important change lies not in construction, but in how we think -- a transformation no city sweep has ever truly achieved.
Hawkers are often seen as intruders, but they are small business owners who provide vital city services. Ignoring this has led to policies that treat symptoms, not causes.
Recognising their role means building a system with clear regulations, defined spaces and fairness for all.
The real question is whether Dhaka will accept hawkers as a permanent part of the city and plan for them.
If hawkers are seen as temporary, their informal status will persist. But with organisation and regulation, they can better serve the city's needs.
Because the goal is not to remove them.
The goal is a city where hawkers and residents coexist. We need a policy reform that sets and enforces clear vending rules, designates areas and times for street vending, and includes hawkers in urban planning. Embracing street hawkers as part of the city's identity can foster a more vibrant, inclusive and harmonious environment for all.
