In 2016, the Dhaka South City Corporation authorities planned to erect a 10-storey modern building on the premises of the Bangabazar market complex but had to back away due to resistance by some traders, who filed writ petitions against the move.
The DSCC has now revived the plan as the wholesale clothing market was razed in a massive fire on Tuesday.
According to sources, the affected shop owners will have priority in getting allotments in the new building.
In 2017, a consulting firm, Shahidullah & Associates, was appointed for the construction. The building design proposed a 10-storey foundation with a one-storey underground. It divided the building into two parts. In the first part, there were 4,400 shops up to six floors, including the basement.
According to the plan, the work order was given to two contracting companies. But the traders filed three writ petitions in the court under different names. So the building could not be constructed.
Also read: Why no permanent building built for Bangabazar traders
On March 19, 2019, the DSCC sent a letter to the Bangabazar traders asking them to vacate the premises within 30 days. But the move was suspended due to a High Court order in connection with the writ petitions.
DSCC Public Relations Officer Abu Naser said: "Now that the market has turned to ashes, a market has to be made here. The building will be constructed according to the previous plan through following proper rules. But it is now a long-term process.
“First, we have to get the suspension order of the High Court settled. Later, we will sit with the traders. If they agree with the previous plan, then the work will start accordingly. Otherwise, a decision will be taken on how much we can accommodate them and then the process will start. In this case, there is no opportunity to start the process quickly."
He said the government was considering providing the affected traders with grants from the Prime Minister's Welfare Fund.
Recently, DSCC Mayor Barrister Sheikh Fazle Noor Tapos said: “A new wholesale market will be built in the place of the market according to the earlier plan. We will sit with them. I will learn about their demands. The affected people will be given priority in the new building. They will be rehabilitated first.”