For Shariful Islam, a resident of Mirpur for nearly two decades, walking along the footpath at Mirpur-10 with his wife and two children was an emotional experience.

Holding his children’s hands as they walked, Shariful said he had never before been able to enjoy such a simple family walk as the footpaths had long remained occupied by illegal shops and vendors.

“I have lived here for 20 years, but I could never walk this way holding my children’s hands. I cannot put into words how I feel today,” he said.

Shariful’s experience is now being shared by thousands of residents in Mirpur as footpaths that were once virtually impassable have been cleared for students, parents, commuters and elderly people.

During a recent visit, Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) workers were seen cleaning roads and footpaths in the area. The space beneath the foot-over bridge at the Mirpur-10 roundabout, which was previously occupied illegally, is also being landscaped with trees to create a more pleasant environment.

The transformation follows a DNCC eviction drive on September 30 targeting illegal roadside shops in Mirpur-10 and Hope School Road.

Before the drive, makeshift markets occupied nearly two-thirds of the road in some areas, particularly around Hope School and Mirpur Girls Ideal School, creating severe congestion and forcing pedestrians to use the roads.

DNCC Administrator Md Shafiqul Islam Khan told BSS that the initiative would be expanded across the entire north city area.

“Footpaths will not be allowed to remain occupied by illegal shops,” he said, adding that those who return after eviction and obstruct pedestrian movement would face fines and legal action.

He said hawkers would continue to have opportunities to earn their livelihoods, but only at designated locations where their businesses would not cause public inconvenience.

Traffic police have also noticed a significant improvement in the area.

Traffic Sergeant Abdul Aziz, stationed at Mirpur-10, said vehicles previously appeared to be moving through a market as pedestrians were forced onto the roads by occupied footpaths.

“Now the roads are much clearer. Vehicles are moving on the roads and people are walking on the footpaths. The pressure on our work has also decreased,” he said.

Students and teachers have welcomed the change. Dhaka University student Sheikh Ahona, who travels from Mirpur-10 by metro rail, said she previously had to push through crowds and roadside shops to reach the station, often causing her to arrive late for classes.

“Now I can reach the station within minutes using the open footpath,” she said.

Parents have also expressed relief, saying they can now walk with their children more safely and comfortably.

The benefits have also extended to established businesses in the area. Shahjahan, a seller at Shah Ali Plaza, said the surroundings had become cleaner and customers were returning to the formal market.

Drivers, meanwhile, said travel times through the previously congested area had also been reduced.

Pedestrian Shahidul Islam said a journey that once took around 20 minutes can now be completed in just three or four minutes.

City dwellers hope the improvement will be sustained and replicated in other parts of Dhaka so that footpaths remain what they are intended to be – safe and accessible spaces for pedestrians.