Kamarkhali market lacks drainage, sanitation amenities
Century-old history and once being the largest market in the area, Kamarkhali Market in Faridpur continues to lack basic facilities such as public toilets, dustbins and a proper drainage system.
There are no designated dustbins for waste disposal, nor is there a planned drainage system to manage water runoff. Consequently, the general public including buyers and sellers as well as traders themselves faces immense hardship.
Even a light shower can leave the market waterlogged and muddy, making movement difficult and creating an unhygienic environment. Several traders have expressed their frustration over the situation. Similar mismanagement plagues many other markets across Madhukhali Upazila.
Traders have demanded the immediate provision of hygienic public toilets, designated waste disposal areas and a planned drainage system.
Many traders are forced to stay for extended periods but face embarrassing situations due to the absence of public toilets. When nature calls, they have no choice but to close their shops and return home.
Rakib Hossain Chowdhury Iran, chairman of Kamarkhali Union Parishad, said, “Separate toilets for men and women have been built, but we cannot open them to the public due to the lack of a sweeper.”
“Because the railway line runs through the market and a rail bridge is under construction over the Madhumati River, goods have to be transported through the area. There are drains, but they get clogged with soil. Although they have been cleaned several times, they fill up again very quickly,” he said.
Madhukhali Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Masudur Rahman said, “Effective measures regarding the management of Kamarkhali Market will be taken after consulting with the local merchants’ association and the concerned Union Chairman.
At the same time, inquiries will be made regarding other markets in the upazila.”
Lipi Parveen, a shopper at the market, said, “When nature calls, one simply has to respond. With a child in tow and no other option, I had to seek relief at a nearby house. A market that has existed for so many years cannot continue to operate in such a state.”
Abdus Salam Mondol, general secretary of the Kamarkhali Market Merchants’ Association, said, “We have not yet secured registration for this old market, though we are working on it. While facilities such as public toilets, sewage disposal and drainage systems are urgently needed, there are certain complications involved.”
Kazi Matiul Islam Murad, a freedom fighter and president of the Merchants’ Association, said, “We have a modern, hygienic toilet, but we cannot open it for use due to the lack of a sweeper.
Since there are no sweepers in the market, maintaining regular cleanliness is also impossible. We cannot upgrade the drainage system either, as that will not be feasible until the railway construction work between Madhukhali and Magura is completed.”
It is worth noting that large vessels once docked at the ghats of the Madhumati and Gorai rivers adjacent to Kamarkhali Market. Kamarkhali also hosted a major ferry terminal. As it was a significant hub for the jute trade, the market housed purchasing centres for many large jute mills.
Apart from Madhukhali Municipality, there are 11 unions in the upazila, hosting at least a dozen daily markets and weekly haats (traditional markets).
Thousands of buyers and sellers gather at these markets every day. However, most of them lack designated waste disposal sites, effective drainage systems or public toilets, creating health risks for everyone involved.
Beyond the local produce market, traders from four unions of the upazila, as well as various areas in neighbouring districts, come here to trade commodities such as paddy, jute and seasonal crops. The market sees a massive influx of buyers and sellers from morning until late at night, especially on weekly market days.
