More than a hundred floating shops have occupied the footpaths along the main road of Bhedarganj municipality in Shariatpur, including the routes leading to the Upazila Health Complex, the Assistant Commissioner (Land) office, and several important educational institutions. Allegations have emerged that money is being collected daily from these shops in the name of a lease by Khokon Molla, son of Hasan Molla of Ward No. 5 of the municipality.

A recent visit to the area shows that both sides of the road from Bhedarganj Bazaar to the Upazila Health Complex, a stretch of nearly one kilometer, are lined with numerous temporary shops. Vendors are selling clothes, shoes, fruits, vegetables, and miscellaneous items from vans and small stalls. As a result, traffic movement on the road is being disrupted and congestion occurs frequently.

Many shopkeepers inside the market are also displaying their goods on the road in front of their shops. In some cases, more products are kept on the road than inside the shops, narrowing the roadway and making vehicle movement difficult. Ambulances carrying patients are often seen stuck in traffic for long periods.

Local residents allege that although the municipality leases out the market, footpaths are not included under such lease arrangements. However, vendors claim they are being forced to pay between Tk 50 and Tk 100 daily. Because they are paying money, many shopkeepers believe that occupying the footpath for business is legitimate.

On Thursday afternoon, Khokon Molla was seen collecting money from several floating vendors. At one point, a mobile medicine seller refused to pay and was reportedly threatened. When asked about the matter, Khokon claimed that he had leased the road from the municipality. However, when asked to show the lease documents, he quickly left the area.

Pedestrian Atikul Islam said, “It is impossible to walk properly on the footpath here. Shopkeepers occupy the road with their products, which blocks traffic. Sometimes even ambulances cannot pass.”

Customer Eva Rahman said, “Because of these shops, the main road now feels like a narrow alley. When the crowd increases, it becomes very difficult to move around, especially for female customers.”

Ambulance driver Raju Mia said it took him nearly 40 minutes to travel just half a kilometer from the hospital to the highway through Bhedarganj Bazaar. “Traffic jams are common on this road. Illegal roadside shops are the main reason behind this situation,” he said.

Jahangir Alam, who sells children’s clothes from a van, said, “We pay rent regularly to set up our stalls here. Khokon Molla takes Tk 50 every day. If the shop is illegal, why does he collect money?” When asked about receipts, he said, “No receipts are given. Everyone pays the same way.”

Floating fruit vendor Robiul Hasan said, “We were told that Khokon Bhai has leased the road from the market to the hospital. So we have to pay Tk 100 daily to set up a shop here. If we don’t pay, we are not allowed to sit here.”

Responding to the allegations, Khokon Molla said, “I have leased the road from the municipality. All floating shops from Bhedarganj Bazaar to the hospital fall under my lease.” However, when asked to show the lease documents, he left the spot.

Officer-in-Charge of Bhedarganj Police Station, Abul Bashar, said, “There is no provision for collecting money in the name of a lease from floating shops on the roadside. If anyone is involved in such activities, strict action will be taken.”

Assistant Commissioner (Land) and Administrator of Bhedarganj Municipality, K. M. Rafsan Rabbi, said, “There is no question of leasing out roads. If anyone is collecting money illegally, it is nothing but extortion. Legal action will be taken if evidence is found.”

Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Hafizul Haque said, “Illegal shops will not be allowed to operate on the roadside. A drive will soon be conducted to restore order on the road.”