DNCC to demolish illegal structures in 12 markets

Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) will demolish all illegal establishments on and around its 12 markets, which are prone to collapse and fire accidents.

Though DNCC at a press conference screened the dilapidated condition of these markets, it does not have any solution to address the problem soon.

“I don't know. There is no short-term solution,” said DNCC Mayor Annisul Huq.

DNCC organised the press conference at its Gulshan office in the presence of shop owners.

After the Rana Plaza accident in 2013, DNCC took the initiative to check the vulnerability of DNCC-owned markets with technical support from Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET), which submitted a report identifying 12 markets as vulnerable.

BUET also suggested that three markets -- Fish Market of Gulshan Katcha Market (North), Mohammadpur Townhall Pucca Bazar, Aminbazar Truck Terminal -- be restricted for the users.  But all of these buildings are still being operated.

Annisul said many market buildings are vertically extended without permission, hampering the longevity of the markets.

“Whenever we try to recover the illegally occupied places, our officials face hurdles from the shop owners," he said.

The mayor said he will do a coordination meeting with all concerned parties to find out a solution. For retrofitting or reconstruction, shop owners are needed to be rehabilitated, which is not an easy task, he said.

According to the BUET, Gulshan Kitchen Market (North) and Gulshan Pucca Market (North) are needed major repair, retrofitting and partial demolition, while the Khilgaon Super Market, Khilgaon Kitchen Market, Karwan Bazar Arot Bhaban, Karwan Bazar no. 1 Bhaban Market, Karwan Bazar Kitchen Market, Karwan Bazar no. 2 Bhaban Market, Mohammadpur Town Hall Market, Prantik Super Market of Gabtoli, are required major repair and retrofitting.

The Gulshan Kitchen Market (South), which was also suggested by the BUET team for carrying out major repair, retrofitting and partial demolition, was collapsed in a fire incident on January 3.