The once-congested and unhygienic road in front of Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) has undergone a striking transformation, offering a visually appealing and pedestrian-friendly environment on the occasion of Pahela Baishakh.

Where rows of makeshift shops once occupied the footpath, accompanied by piles of waste and foul odours, the stretch from Central Shaheed Minar to the hospital gate has now been redesigned with flower tubs, seating arrangements and vibrant murals.

The boundary walls of the hospital, long hidden behind shops and neglect, have now emerged as a large canvas of artistic expression. Colourful folk motifs and traditional designs now adorn the walls, bringing life to one of the capital’s busiest footpaths.

Locals say even a few months ago, walking through this area was difficult. Due to illegal shops, waste and an unhygienic environment, pedestrians often had to cover their noses while passing through.

A regular commuter Jamir, said the place previously suffered from severe sanitation issues.

“People used to use the place as a public toilet. The smell was unbearable. Now, with flower tubs, benches, and colourful walls—the environment feels much more pleasant,” he said.

Another attendant of the patient who visited the emergency department of the hospital shared his feeling with UNB that it is really a new experience, as he had never seen this scenic view here before. “It will be an example if authorities can continue to monitor the place,” he said.

DSCC Chief Waste Management Officer Air Commodore Md. Mahabubur Rahman Talukdar said the initiative aims to provide a sense of relief to patients, attendants, and visitors amid the pressure of the hospital environment.

“We want people—especially patients and their families—to find a moment of peace here. They should be able to sit, walk, and feel mentally relaxed despite their situation,” he said.

The initiative, taken by Dhaka South City Corporation, is being implemented as a pilot project. Authorities aim to transform the surrounding hospital environment into a cleaner, greener, and more welcoming public space.

Under the plan, the area will see landscaping, additional seating arrangements, flower plants and even the installation of water fountains.

He added, “We are trying to create an environment where even if someone is unwell, the surroundings can provide mental support and positivity.”

“If successful, the project may be expanded to other healthcare areas, including Mitford Hospital and surrounding zones of other major public hospitals, officials said.

Authorities also hope to improve the environment around the Central Shaheed Minar, which has long suffered from congestion and mismanagement.

With Pahela Baishakh approaching, city dwellers are expected to experience a noticeably different atmosphere in front of Dhaka Medical—one that blends festive spirit with cleanliness, aesthetics, and civic comfort.

Compared to the population of Dhaka, the city’s footpaths and pedestrian walkways are extremely narrow and insufficient, most of which remain occupied by hawkers and tea-cigarette stalls. These footpaths are typically filled with fast food vendors, fried snacks sold from vans, tea and light meals, fruits, clothes, household items, vegetables, and even small eateries—forming a mix of permanent and temporary shops.

In the Dhaka Medical area alone, at least 500 shops used to occupy the footpaths and roads. These shops sold tea, cigarettes, fruits, food, coconuts, betel leaf, and various household essentials such as pillows, blankets, bedsheets, plates, and glasses. These businesses largely catered to patients and their family members visiting the hospital.

However, beyond meeting demand, these temporary shops were also part of an informal system where influential groups allegedly collected significant amounts of extortion money from vendors.

On one hand, these encroached shops caused immense suffering for the public; on the other, they directly fuelled a thriving extortion economy. Due to floating vendors, hawkers, and illegal parking, traffic congestion persisted for most of the day on these busy roads. Over time, affected residents seemed to have accepted this situation as normal.