The small business workers are falling into the vicious cycle of poverty after being repeatedly affected by Khilkshe

Kamrul Hasan

A clear administrative mismanagement has been prevailing in the Khilkhet area of Dhaka North City Corporation for a long time. In the absence of designated markets by city corporations, temporary markets sit across public spaces and pavements—making city management ineffective on the one hand, and causing constant suffering to small traders and working people on the other.

The most worrisome are-
Those who have little capital, who find it difficult to run their families when their daily income stops, the low-class workers and small traders are the ones who lose everything in every eviction drive. A separate eviction campaign by each party only clears the market; But it does not provide a permanent and secure alternative market for them. As a result, these people are repeatedly affected and fall into the vicious cycle of poverty.

This is not only an example of social inequality—it is also a reflection of administrative failure.
Direct appeal to the administration –
1. In place of railways in Khilkshete area, designated, valid and permanent markets should be speedily established following railway policy.
2. Registration, ID card and specific space should be allotted for small traders.
3. Confirmation of alternative arrangements should be made mandatory before conducting eviction operations.
4. A planned market system is the only solution—not eviction—to keep sidewalks free of encroachments.Responsible administrative decision is essential if we want to solve the problem of illegal market in different areas of the city including Khilkhet. Otherwise, the repeated blows to small traders—and the suffering of ordinary people—will continue.