Karwan Bazar: Traders resist DNCC move to seal risky market

Dhaka North City Corporation yesterday faced strong resistance from traders as it attempted to seal a hazardous two-storey wholesale kitchen market for raw materials.

DNCC representatives had to halt their operations and leave the building as traders gathered to protest their move, despite DNCC officials' five-month-long efforts to speak to the traders about the market's hazardous state.

Shop owners, traders and staffers block an entrance to a two-storey building in Karwan Bazar wholesale market in the capital around noon yesterday during a drive by the Dhaka North City Corporation to seal off the structure declared risky. The DNCC team returned after the traders refused to vacate the building without being rehabilitated. Photo: Rashed Shumon

The market was declared hazardous by Buet around 9 years ago. It was also declared hazardous by the Divisional Commissioner in 2019 and Rajuk in 2016, due to its earthquake-prone highly vulnerable state.

The market is also known as the DNCC zone-5 office, where thousands of residents visit every day to obtain its services, unaware of the dangers they might face.

Meanwhile, during the drive, traders demanded that the city corporation discuss the matter with them before taking any decision.

"If the shops are closed for a day, our business will suffer. We want the city corporation to discuss this with us and then take a decision. Otherwise, we will not leave our shops," said Abdullah Al Foysal, a trader in the market.

Another trader Alauddin Hossain expressed his concerns and said, "I depend on the shop for my livelihood. I will not leave this market until we are allocated a shop in a new establishment."

During DNCC's operation, this correspondent spoke to a dozen traders who echoed Abdullah and Alauddin.

During a recent visit, this correspondent found that the building's ground and second-floor columns and beams showed exposed rods due to the plaster falling off, leaving the structure irreparable. The basement and second-floor ceilings have also been affected by the falling off of the plaster.

Several shops have been storing flammable goods that pose a severe risk of fire. The haphazard placement of electrical equipment, including lamps and ceiling fans throughout the building, has created a hazardous condition.

DNCC had plans to relocate the traders to a market in Jatrabari, currently in its final stage of construction. However, traders were reluctant to leave until they were allocated their shops in the new market.

Mutakabbir Ahmed, executive officer of zone-5 under DNCC, said traders have been given two weeks to evacuate the risky building.

"After that, the market's 176 shops will be sealed. Power, water, and gas connections will also be cut," he added.

He also mentioned that he would visit the kitchen market again on May 25 to evacuate the structure.

He emphasised that the traders need to move quickly, as the Karwan Bazar market is in danger of collapsing at any moment. "If there is an accident, we can get out. But traders don't have that chance."

Mutakabbir also said they will move DNCC zone-5's office to a new building soon.

Meanwhile, experts warned that it would not be right for DNCC to use this risky building in any way.

Contacted, Prof Adil Mohammed Khan of urban and regional planning at Jahangirnagar University suggested that DNCC zone-5 officials leave the risky building immediately and move to a rented office space for the time being.

"Traders should also be reallocated in temporary settlements immediately while the new market building is being prepared," he added.