Pavements in the capital have got back their original look with the eviction of illegal occupants as part of beautification as well as security on the occasion of the Saarc Summit that begins tomorrow.

Dhaka City Corporation (DCC) sources however pointed out that grabbers will again occupy the footpaths as usual just after the summit to earn a lot by 'selling' those to vendors.

The illegal occupants were evicted by November 6, and this has come as a big blow to them, causing losses of millions of taka to vendors and toll collectors including police and ruling alliance influential people.

The capital has 163-km footpaths and about 2 lakh vendors are engaged in small business on those, DCC estimates said.

Vendors themselves don't dare to occupy the pavements, rather influential people are behind the scene. But they always remain out of reach and earn a lot from the vendors.

Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) and DCC officials said keeping the pavements free for pedestrians depends on the will of those in power. If they want to keep those free round the year, none would dare to occupy those. Police alone cannot do this.

Explaining the situation, a senior DCC official said, “Nothing happens in the city without the knowledge of government high-ups.”

There are some influential politicians who carry out political activities with the money they realise from footpath vendors, he said seeking not to be named.

When contacted, DCC Mayor Sadeque Hossain Khoka said, “We always try to keep the footpaths free. But others including police are also involved in the matter. Footpaths are not fully freed from grabbers considering the social perspective.”

Urban expert Prof Nazrul Islam said, “Pavements should be kept free for pedestrians. But there has to be alternative arrangements for the vendors as thousands of families depend on them for livelihood.”

Firoz Al Mujahid, deputy commissioner (Traffic-north) of DMP said, “ We always try to keep footpath and footover bridges clean.” It is the responsibility of not only police but also of the DCC, he added.

Chief Estate Officer of the DCC Abu Taleb said, “We evict grabbers from footpaths many times. But it does not last long due to lack of police vigilance. If police act properly, it is possible to keep the footpaths free permanently.”