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In Mirpur, hawkers were removed from roads, though some return in the evenings before being removed again. Many are now operating from mobile vans along footpaths.

Hawkers say they depend on the trade for their livelihoods and fear that eviction without rehabilitation will leave them without income.

Near Mirpur-10 roundabout and Hope International School, many hawkers still occupy footpaths.

Abdul Karim, who has been selling goods from a van near the school for five years, said he often flees into nearby alleys when police arrive and returns later, adding that repeated disruptions have reduced his income.

Arif Chowdhury, president of the Hawkers Federation, said drives are ongoing in areas such as Motijheel and Gulistan and warned that eviction without rehabilitation raises concerns about how such a large number of people will survive.

Meanwhile, on Monday, DMP asked individuals and organisations to remove construction materials and goods from roads and footpaths, saying these contribute to congestion and disrupt pedestrian movement.

Police warned that such acts are punishable by law, adding that special drives will be conducted by executive magistrates and the traffic division.

NM Nasiruddin, deputy commissioner (media) of DMP, said drives against illegal occupation of roads and footpaths will continue.

Dhaka South City Corporation Administrator Abdus Salam said unregulated roadside business causing public suffering will not be allowed, but authorities do not want to act inhumanely toward hawkers and rickshaw pullers.

He said a licence will be required to run temporary businesses on sidewalks.

While inaugurating eviction and beautification work near Dhaka Medical College Hospital, he said authorities are preparing a location-based list of hawkers. A specific number of hawkers will be allowed to operate in designated areas at fixed times.

He also said there are plans to introduce “Holiday Markets” and “Night Markets”. “We aim not to evict but to rehabilitate.”

Dhaka North City Corporation Administrator Mohammad Shafiqul Islam said business activities will no longer be allowed on footpaths or roads, though alternative arrangements will be made for small traders.

A token system will also be introduced to prevent extortion.

Meanwhile, DSCC has issued a public notice banning the placement of goods on footpaths in front of markets, warning of strict legal action, including cancellation of trade licences.

Prof Adil Mohammed Khan, executive director of Institute for Planning and Development, said eviction drives will not be sustainable without a comprehensive plan, including clear policies and laws for hawker management.

While recent drives have brought temporary relief, he stressed the need for alternative employment and poverty reduction measures, along with action against syndicates controlling footpath businesses and extortion networks.

Without addressing these root causes, such drives are unlikely to succeed in the long term, he said.

He urged the government to adopt a comprehensive approach, ensuring rehabilitation, alternative employment, and social protection for the urban poor.

He also noted that Dhaka still lacks an effective legal framework for hawker management, allowing syndicates to operate behind the scenes.

Those facilitating illegal hawking, including linemen, influential groups and others benefiting from extortion, must be brought under the law, he added.