Sorry state of Park Market in Tangail town

Park Bazar, the main kitchen market in the town, is in a terrible state as it has not been renovated for the last several years.

The kitchen market was set up on the only children's park in the town in July of 1977 for six months. It was supposed to be removed after completion of the development works of Chhoi Ani Bazar, another old kitchen market in the town, traders said.

However, Park Bazar was set up permanently in the children's park in 1989.

The kitchen market, established on three acres of lands, is known as the biggest wholesale vegetable market in the district, they added.

As there is no drainage system in the market, people cannot move easily after slight rain due to stagnant water and thick mud, he said, adding that there is no place for people to take shelter during rain or storm.

Vegetable sellers sit on the streets near the market, disrupting movement of people and vehicles, said Hossain Ali, a vegetable wholesaler. Loading and unloading of goods from trucks are done on the roads, creating sufferings for people, he added.

Beef and mutton shops are situated side by side so Hindu buyers feel uneasy when they come to buy meat, said Shyamol Saha, a resident of the town. 

The only mosque in the market is situated just beside the fish market, and the bad smell from the market makes it unpleasant for people saying their prayers, said Insan Ali, who says his prayers at the mosque.

The restaurants are situated just beside the chicken shops, and it is hard for people to take meals there due to the dirty environment and bad smell, said Azmat Ali, a vegetable wholesaler from Madhupur. 

Residents of Khalpar Road area and students of Government Model Primary School are suffering as vendors and trucks occupy the road in front of the school, said Biplob Saha, a resident of the area.

Shops were constructed at the Eidgah side of the market a few years ago and allocated to people loyal to the then ruling party leaders. Moreover, plans were made to construct more shops in the open spaces at the market, locals said.  

Although taxes are collected from vendors and from vehicles for loading and unloading goods, nothing has been done for developing the infrastructure and increasing facilities for the sellers and buyers, said Joher Ali, general secretary of the Park Market Traders' Association.

"Development of the market is the responsibility of the municipal authorities, but nothing has been done despite verbal and written requests to them for renovating the market," he added.  

Saifuzzaman Sohel, panel mayor of Tangail municipality, said they will start renovation of the market as soon as possible.