The Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) has ordered the evacuation and demolition of eight dangerous kitchen markets, declared abandoned four years ago, within the next 15 days.
DNCC Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Selim Reza confirmed the matter to Dhaka Tribune on Sunday.
Selim Reza said: "I have appointed magistrates to demolish eight highly hazardous markets under Dhaka North City Corporation. These buildings are no longer open for business. We have already hung red shawls inside the buildings. I have written to the relevant institutions to disconnect electricity, gas, and water as part of the process of dismantling these risky markets. Hopefully, the process of demolishing the markets will commence in the next few days."
He also mentioned that letters were sent to the traders to vacate the buildings, but they did not comply.
“We also refrained from pressuring them, taking the humanitarian aspect into consideration,” Salim Reza explained.
"Where can these businessmen go? If we think about humanity now, it won't be feasible. These buildings are dangerous. If even one person were to lose their life, the city corporation would be held accountable. Everyone would then claim that the city corporation did not fulfil its responsibilities. Therefore, I have now decided to remove the buildings, and this will be done within the next 15 days," he added.
Asked about the traders' future after the market is demolished, he said: "We have held several meetings with the market committee and association representatives. I informed them through letters, but they did not take any action. Another letter has been sent, and a decision will be made after discussions with the market stakeholders on how to rehabilitate these traders. The city corporation will provide assistance in this regard."
The riskiest markets are the Gulshan North Kitchen Market, Gulshan South Paka Market, the First and Second Floors of Mohammadpur Kitchen Market, Rayerbazar Market, Kawran Bazar no 1 Market, Kawran Bazar no 2 Market, Kawran Bazar Temporary Kitchen Market, and the Kawran Bazar Raw Material Arat Market Building.
These markets were declared abandoned on April 1, 2019, due to the risk of fire and collapse. DNCC plans to demolish these markets and construct a modern multi-storey market in their place.
Despite receiving repeated letters, the traders continue to conduct their business in these market buildings.
Last May, Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) initiated the process to demolish these eight markets. The Mayor of Dhaka North City Corporation ordered the disconnection of all services, including electricity, gas, water, and telephone, in these risky markets. However, the buildings were not demolished for reasons unknown.
