An ideal sidewalk should be at least two meters wide for pedestrians to walk freely. In Dhaka, around 68 percent of sidewalks do not meet this minimum width. Sidewalks are difficult to walk on due to illegal occupation, parking, broken surfaces, and lack of cleanliness. Even without comparing with developed Western cities, Southeast Asian cities have clean, flat, and safe sidewalks used by thousands of men, women, and children. Despite Dhaka's growing modern look, its sidewalks are becoming less usable. Meanwhile, the number of pedestrians is increasing.

According to the Dhaka Transport Coordination Authority (DTCA), 38 percent of people in the city currently walk to their destination. In 2009, this figure was 20 percent. In the last 15 years, the number of people walking has nearly doubled.

Transport infrastructure experts say that traffic jams and a lack of public transport are forcing people to walk on poor-quality sidewalks. To support this trend and reduce traffic, they recommend improving sidewalks and building pedestrian-friendly infrastructure.

A draft of the updated Strategic Transport Plan (STP) for Greater Dhaka has been prepared. According to it, Dhaka has 1,840 kilometers of sidewalks. Ten percent are only 0.5 meters wide or less, 39.4 percent are less than one meter wide, 17.4 percent are less than 1.5 meters, and about 33 percent are over two meters wide and meet the ideal standard.

The STP 2025 draft report mentions that at least 108 kilometers of 163 sidewalks in Dhaka are heavily encroached. The report also states that local politicians and police have helped with the illegal occupation.

Government agencies do not have exact data on the number of sidewalks that are broken. However, field visits show broken tiles, missing bricks, large holes, and damaged sidewalk structures in many areas.

Despite the poor condition of Dhaka's sidewalks, the number of pedestrians has increased from 20 percent to 38 percent over the past 15 years. This data comes from the draft 'STP 2025 report prepared by the Dhaka Transport Coordination Authority (DTCA).

When asked why the number of pedestrians is rising even though the sidewalks are not pedestrian-friendly, Dr. Hadiuzzaman, professor at BUET and a transportation expert, explained, "Due to traffic congestion, many people try to live near their workplaces in Dhaka. These people often walk to work. Also, there is a serious shortage of public transport. As a result, many are forced to walk on poor sidewalks. Dhaka's rising cost of living also pushes some people to choose walking."

He suggested treating this growing pedestrian trend as an opportunity and said, "If these people used vehicles instead, traffic jams would be even worse. No matter the reason, people are walking more, and we should see this as a chance. Sidewalks should be improved and kept free from encroachment. If needed, space should be taken from roads for sidewalks. I believe sidewalks are more important than roads."

Along with poor infrastructure, illegal occupation is one of the biggest problems facing Dhaka's sidewalks. Despite repeated efforts from the two city corporations, police, and administration to keep sidewalks free of vendors, these efforts have largely failed. In this context, the administrator of Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC), Mohammad Ejaz, is exploring whether sidewalks can be made pedestrian-friendly while still allowing street vendors.

Speaking to Bonik Barta, he said, "Making sidewalks pedestrian-friendly is important. However, earning a living through sidewalk businesses is also a basic right. Two informal rights are involved here—people's right to walk and survive. Urban order is also part of this. We are planning to make sidewalks work for everyone. Discussions with urban planners have already started. A final decision may come later. We want to create a proper, effective plan for Dhaka's sidewalks. It may happen very soon."

Sheikh Moinuddin, special assistant to the chief adviser in charge of the Ministry of Road Transport and Bridges, has said that the interim government is also focusing on reducing Dhaka's traffic congestion and building pedestrian-friendly infrastructure. When asked about this, he told Bonik Barta, "We are working to clear the sidewalks of illegal occupation. We'll do it in a way that doesn't cause trouble for anyone. The foot overbridges in Dhaka will be repaired, kept clean, and usable again. Sidewalks will be repaired and made suitable for walking. The city corporation is the biggest partner in improving Dhaka's sidewalks, and all work will move forward in coordination with them."