Mayor Taposh: Bangabazar victims can do business by setting up wooden platforms

Dhaka South City Corporation Mayor Barrister Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh said that traders affected by the fire in the capital's Bangabazar will be able to start their business by setting up wooder platforms (Chowki in Bengali) from Wednesday.

He told reporters after a meeting with businessmen affected by Bangabazar fire at Nagar Bhaban in Dhaka on Sunday afternoon.

Taposh said: “We will hold a meeting on Tuesday so that the small traders can be rehabilitated and hopefully by Wednesday if not next Tuesday they can set up shops there and start doing business.”

Bangabazar fire-affected businessmen set up shop on the footpath Mehedi Hasan/Dhaka Tribune

At this time, Barrister Taposh called upon people from all walks of life to come forward to help the affected traders.

“Since it is the month of Ramadan, everyone should come forward for the sake of humanity. The prime minister said that she will provide adequate relief to the affected traders,” he added. 

Dhaka-8 constituency Member of Parliament Rashed Khan Menon said: “Dhaka South City Corporation and market committees have taken the responsibility of rehabilitating the affected businessmen. Temporary arrangements are in place. Everyone is optimistic for a big fund. And when the prime minister joins it, we hope it will be a big help for everyone.”

Mehedi Hasan/Dhaka Tribune

Regarding ways to avoid fire accidents like this, he said: “Everyone has a responsibility here. Just as governments have responsibilities, corporations have responsibilities, so do those who manage markets.”

Md Helal Uddin, president of Bangladesh Shop Owners Association, said: “Today we are very happy to talk to the mayor. We did not expect to get a decision so quickly.”