In a risky move, authorities have allowed the reopening of Dhaka's Bangabazar and New Supermarket despite recent devastating fires that caused extensive damage.
Business owners have already resumed sales in some shops, while others are in the process of reconstruction.
Earlier this month, two separate fires occurred in the capital, one at Bangabazar and another at New Supermarket, resulting in significant losses for many traders.
Multiple investigative committees were formed to look into the causes of these incidents, although none have submitted their reports yet.
Mahmud Hossain Opu/Dhaka TribuneSources close to the investigations revealed that the probe into both incidents is nearing completion and the reports are expected to be submitted shortly.
However, the exact date for submission remains uncertain.
Visits to Bangabazar and New Supermarket on Saturday revealed that some shops have already reopened, while others are undergoing renovations.
At Bangabazar, most shops in the Mohanagar shopping complex and Banga Islami Market have reopened, as well as the first three floors of the Anexco Tower, while renovations are underway from the fifth to the seventh floor.
Meanwhile, at New Supermarket, some businesses were allowed to open ahead of Eid-ul-Fitr celebrations, with more shops reopening on Saturday.
Fire Service urges reconsideration of decision
Fire Service officials claim that New Supermarket was already in a precarious condition even before the fire incident.
They urged the authorities to reconsider the logic of reopening the market in such a hazardous situation.
Mahmud Hossain Opu/Dhaka TribuneFire Service and Civil Defence Director (Operation and Maintenance) Lt Col Mohammad Tajul Islam Chowdhury said the authorities have been informed about the high-risk locations that are susceptible to fire tragedies.
“New Supermarket was already in a hazardous state before the fire and it has become even more dangerous since the tragedy. Those who have given permission to reopen the market in this situation, they know better what they considered and how logical it is,” he added.
Mahmud Hossain Opu/Dhaka TribuneThe fire service director stressed the need for better electrical safety and management, as many markets were found to be using electricity far beyond their authorized limits, leading to fires.
Regarding the Bangabazar and New Supermarket fire investigations, Chowdhury said the investigation is nearly complete and they expect to submit the reports to the relevant parties in a short time.
Dhaka New Supermarket (South) Traders Association ad-hoc committee member secretary Kazi Abul Khair said the fire service had informed them what needed to be done after they extinguished the fire; therefore, their work is done.
Mahmud Hossain Opu/Dhaka Tribune“We applied to the Dhaka Power Distribution Company (DPDC) for electricity management. Subsequently, as of April 18, we have opened the ground floor and the second floor of the market and the third floor is under renovation,” he added.
In response to questions about whether any permission has been taken from the administration to open the market, Abul Khair said the market was opened based on the advice of the committee.
On April 4, a massive fire broke out at Bangabazar in Dhaka. The fire burned down several thousand shops. A total of six adjacent markets were also razed.
The Bangabazar market lies in ruins after a raging fire swept through the area, leaving behind a trail of destruction Mahmud Hossain Opu/Dhaka TribuneThese are Gulistan Market, Anexco Tower, Mohanagar shopping complex, Adarsha Market, Banga Islami Market and Barisal Plaza.
According to the Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC), a total of 3,845 traders were affected by the fire. The total amount of goods, estimated at approximately Tk288.350 crore, burnt to ashes.
Besides, approximately Tk14.70 crore was lost considering the structural aspects.
Mahmud Hossain Opu/Dhaka TribuneBefore the tears of the Bangabazaar traders could dry up, another fire broke out at New Supermarket on April 15.
It burnt down several shops and establishments during the busy Eid shopping season.
