The businessmen said they have complained to the Dhaka City Corporation (DCC) authorities, who evict the hawkers from the spot during their weekly drives.

"But the drives are not of much help as the hawkers return as soon as we leave the scene," said a senior official of the Estate Department, DCC.

The patrolling policemen turn a deaf ear when asked to do something about the problem as they collect toll from the hawkers, the businessmen said.

They pointed out that the number of hawkers on the road has increased over the last few years that hampers the business of local shops and restaurants.

"We are incurring losses due to this problem but we cannot do anything against the hawkers as they have political backing," said manager of a restaurant.

When asked, one of the hawkers said, "I am paying weekly toll to the linemen and patrol police. I have the right to do business here."

The linemen informed the hawkers about eviction drive at least half an hour before the drive. "We pack up our shops and leave the scene for next two hours," said a hawker.

DCC officials said the information about eviction drives are leaked by the policemen.

However, the duty officer at Motijheel Police Station denied the allegations.

"We have sought DMP's help in our eviction drives but we never receive the co-operation that we deserve from them," said a senior DCC official.

The commissioner of DMP (Dhaka Metropolitan Police) however denied the allegation.

"We are trying our best to evict illegal hawkers from the streets and keep footpaths clean," said Mizanur Khan, DMP commissioner.

The drains beside Bangabandhu Avenue often remain clogged, causing waterlogging on the road. DCC officials blamed the restaurant owners of the area for the drainage systems getting clogged and thus causing the waterlogging.

"Wastes and garbage thrown into the drains from these hotels are the main cause behind the problem," claimed a senior official, Conservancy Department, DCC.

The restaurant owners denied the claim and blamed the Conservancy Department's inefficiency for the waterlogging. "It is their job to clean the drains regularly, which they seldom do," said M Rafiq, manager, Raj Hotel.