Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) Mayor Md Atiqul Islam has said action will be taken against traders who are illegally occupying market areas.
He said this while inaugurating the reconstruction of Mohammadpur Krishi Market and the distribution of cheques among the fire-affected traders on Tuesday.
"The fact is that there are many illegal traders along with legal traders in all the markets in this area - including Karwan Bazar, Mohammadpur Town Hall Market, and Rayerbazar Market. These traders do not want new modern buildings to be built. I have instructed the DNCC officials and councillors to prepare a list, so we can take action against them,” he said.
The mayor later highlighted the dire state of several markets in the DNCC area and said he had asked traders to move several times. However, they refused to do so.
“We want to build modern markets after demolishing the old and risky ones,” the mayor said.
He added that every market will have safety measures, including firefighting systems. “I urge the traders' association of the markets to take steps to ensure the safety of the markets.”
Meanwhile, Awami League Presidium Member Jahangir Kabir Nanak said: "Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina works day and night to serve the people of this country. We have not failed to perform our duties as her workers. The fire-damaged market (Mohammadpur Krishi Market) will be constructed at the earliest on the instructions of the premier.”
Md Sadek Khan, MP, Dhaka-13 constituency, said: "The country is being run through an excellent chain of command under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Since there is a chain of command, the reconstruction work of the damaged Krishi Market started soon.”
On September 14, a fire broke out at Mohammadpur Krishi Market, which the authorities said housed 317 shops.
According to official estimates, some 217 shops were gutted.
