Most of these sheds authorised by Dhaka City Corporation (DCC) were built hastily to allocate shops or kiosks to earn revenue.

But the sheds have turned into safe haven for hawkers and floating sex workers. Besides, the sheds contribute to the unrelenting traffic turmoil in the city.

According to DCC, there are 260 such sheds in the city.

As per the approved design, the sheds should have only one newspaper stall and seating arrangements for the bus passengers, but the private organisations engaged in maintenance of the sheds rented out space for shops.

"This is violation of our policy," said Abdur Rahman, public relations officer of DCC.

Out of the 260 sheds, 218 have been built and are now being maintained by three private organisations under a 20-year contract.

"The agreement allowed them to construct the sheds according to the approved design while they can use it for promotional and advertisement purposes," said a DCC Estate Department official. "But they have violated the agreement and illegally rented out space for commercial shops inside the sheds," he added.

The bus sheds at Khilgaon, Paltan intersection, Gulistan, Baitul Mukarram, Kamalapur, Motijheel, Sayedabad, Farmgate, New Market, Gulshan, Mohakhali and many other locations throughout the capital city have been turned into roadside business centres, leaving little or no room for the passengers.

Most of these sheds have been constructed haphazardly. They not only interrupt the flow of traffic in the streets, but also create obstacle to movement of pedestrians.

This correspondent on Saturday found a dozen people enjoying snacks and refreshments at the shops under the shed near Farmgate intersection while the bus passengers were seen either standing on the road or sitting on the pavement.

"The shopkeepers do not allow the passengers to sit under the shed as the crowd hampers their business," said Noman, a resident of Shantinagar.

While visiting the sheds near the Jatiya Press Club, Purana Paltan crossing, Motijheel Shapla Square, Bangla Motors, Moghbazar and other bus stops it was found that passengers were compelled to wait for bus on the street.

Shaheen, who regular commutes from Shyamoli to Motijheel, said he is forced to wait on the pavement next to the bus shed which have turned into snack and juice bar.

"These sheds are safe havens for everyone except for the commuters. You can find hawkers, muggers and even floating sex workers there," said Shaheen. "The police ignore such nuisances and do nothing if you complain."

Jahangir Alam who runs a stationery shop at the bus shed near Moghbazar intersection, told this correspondent that they pay Tk 3,000 as monthly rent to the authorities.

"Even the floating hawkers have to pay tolls regularly to the on-duty police officers to operate in the sheds," said Alam.

While commercial activities continue at the passenger sheds, buses and minibuses load and unload passengers on the streets, disregarding the traffic regulations.

Jahurul Islam, a traffic inspector of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP), blamed the lack of planning and coordination between DCC and the traffic department in designating the locations for bus sheds for public transports.

Kamruzzaman Chowdhury, chief estate officer of DCC, said DCC is aware about the situation and demolishing the illegal shops along with the unauthorised sheds.

"Currently we are knocking down the illegal shops along with the unauthorised bus sheds throughout the city. In fact we have already demolished a number of bus sheds at Old Town, Mirpur and Dhanmondi" said Chowdhury.

Chowdhury said that the fact that DCC has to rely on DMP officers for eviction drives and in taking actions against the offenders, tend to slow them down. DMP often refuses to help with police forces to conduct eviction drive.