20 high-risked Dhaka markets do business risking public safety

Syed Shemul Parvez :
Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) has listed 20 markets in Dhaka South and North City Corporation areas as ‘high risk’ buildings. Of these, 11 in Dhaka South and 9 in Dhaka North. As a result, concerned people are afraid of major accidents in these markets at any time.

It is known that trading is going on in these markets despite of high risk. Every day thousands of buyers are gathering in the markets.
Despite listing by the BUET as dangerous, the two city corporations of Dhaka have not taken any effective initiative to dismantle the markets.
Although the two city corporations claim that their initiatives were right, and they are still on right tract. But they have not yet been able to implement it in the face of obstruction from the traders. Soon they will remove the traders from these markets and break the market.

At the top of the list of high-risk markets is the Karwanbazar raw market (basically Arat) in the capital. On May 11, Dhaka North City Corporation conducted a special operation in Karwanbazar raw market (Arat). Water, electricity and gas lines were disconnected in this operation. But, in the face of traders’ resistance, the DNCC officials left the operation unfinished.

After that, there was no progress in eviction of shops or demolition of the market. DNCC Zone-5 Regional Officer and Executive Magistrate Motakabbir Ahmed, who led the May 11 operation, said that our aim was to disconnect electricity, water and gas from 176 shops in the market. Traders were given a notice to evict the market last April as the BUET declared it risky.

According to BUET report, 9 markets in Dhaka North are high risk. These are – Karwan Bazar Raw Market, Karwan Bazar No. 1 Building Market, Karwan Bazar No. 2 Building Market, Halod Market of Gulshan North Raw Market, Gulshan South Paved Market, Mohammadpur Town Hall Paved Market, Mohammadpur Raw market and Mohammadpur Rayerbazar Market.

Signboards are being hung in these markets indicating risk. But, due to the non-cooperation of the traders, the markets could not be closed yet. As a result, both traders and customers are at risk.
There are 11 high-risk markets in Dhaka South. Bangabazar was among these. In last Ramadan, the entire Bangabazar market was burnt. Other high-risk markets are New Super Market, Azimpur Graveyard Market, Azimpur orphanage Market, Barisal Hotel Bhawan adjacent to Devidas Ghat, First Lane Bhawban of Jindabahar, Dayaganj Truckstand Road Side Bhawban, Nayabazar Nawab Yusuf Market Complex, Tantaribazar Market, Khilgaon Railway raw market and Lilly Plaza Market in Siddheshwari.

Meanwhile, according to the information of Fire Service and Civil Defense, in 2017, they have identified 2 thousand 528 buildings as dangerous by inspecting different buildings in the capital in two phases. In addition, the Dhaka South City Corporation’s own survey revealed that 46 buildings were identified as vulnerable after inspecting 5 of the 10 DSCC regions.

Regarding high-risk markets, Mayor of Dhaka North City Corporation Atiqul Islam said that we are taking steps regarding the identified risky markets. We have already started the work on moving Karwan Bazar Bazar. This work will be much easier if the businessmen cooperate with us. I will request the buyers through you that they should not go for shopping in these risky markets. Then traders will be forced to leave these risky markets.
In this regards, Dhaka South City Corporation Mayor Barrister Sheikh Fazle Noor Tapas said that they have taken a joint long-term initiative from the DSCC to ensure the safety of those risk markets. The Committee of DSCC will regularly supervise the markets. Some of these markets have been declared high risk and will be phased out by removing traders.

Dr. Adil Muhammad Khan, Professor of urban and regional planning department, Jahangirnagar University said that the two city corporations of Dhaka cannot avoid responsibility by just giving notices to the businessmen to withdraw from the risky market. Accidents can happen in these markets any day. Therefore, the City Corporation should take a stricter role in these markets.