Karwan Bazar Kitchen Market: Traders still reluctant to move

Traders of Karwan Bazar are reluctant to shift to Jatrabari and Gabtali as they believe the areas are unsuitable for running their business.

They made the comments at a discussion yesterday held at TCB auditorium, demanding that authorities concerned ensure better facilities at the Karwan Bazar instead of shifting them to the new locations.

However, Dhaka North City Corporation Mayor Md Atiqul Islam, who chaired the discussion, said the kitchen market must be shifted to the new locations, which will soon turn into a safe, modern market.

"It cannot be run in the middle of the capital, it should remain at the city's periphery," he said.

"No one will be jobless, rather their security will improve if they go there where there is sufficient space," he said.

The mayor formed an 11-member committee, incorporating three councillors, traders, and city corporation officials, to present the status quo regarding the issue within the next 15 days.

He said it's his obligation to shift the market as it's the prime minister's directive and the project was approved by Ecnec.

"Karwan Bazar market is risky, it may collapse anytime, and you will have to take responsibility," he added.

Atiqul said his office received a letter from the Dhaka divisional commissioner's office to remove eight risky markets immediately and following this they put up signboards there. But those were removed.

"Who will take responsibility if any accident occurs?" he asked.

"It is important to give security of life and goods to both sellers and customers and we will have to work together for this," the mayor said.

"You may say its design is faulty but sit with me and give me your suggestions. We will address it. However, the buildings have already been constructed," he said.

Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal said no one will be removed forcibly but the kitchen market will have to be shifted.

A decision will have to be taken jointly, he said.

He requested the mayor to construct a multistoried market for the market at the Karwan Bazar.

"Due to the urgency of the situation, many things are being constructed, and if the government decides not to allow any trucks here, you will be in trouble," he said.

Local Government and Rural Development Minister Md Tazul Islam said a discussion is necessary on the issue as it is complex and its solution is quite important.

Mosharraf Hossain, treasurer of Karwan Bazar Khudra Kacha Bazar Samiti, said around four crore people are directly or indirectly involved with the market and will be affected due to the shifting.

Hazi Abdul Hakim Bulbul, secretary of Number-1 DIT Market, said late mayor Anisul Huq assured them of bringing four markets in a particular area in Karwan Bazar but the decision fell flat due to his demise.

"We will sacrifice our lives if necessary, but we will not move," said Lokaman Hossain, a Kitchen Market Beboshaye Samity leader.