Just a few days ago, the Mohammadpur Krishi Market was bustling with activity, but now it lies in ruins, with only ashes and a lingering burning smell. None of the shops in blocks B and C of the market have remained intact, and the affected traders are now demanding swift compensation and rehabilitation.
On Saturday morning, traders could be seen sifting through the debris of their burnt shops, some desperately searching for any salvageable goods.
Nayan, a businessman, lost his sole source of income in the fire early on Thursday. He said: "This shop was my only source of income, but for the last three days, it has ceased to exist. There is no way to start buying and selling goods on the side of the road. I was buying clothes in instalments, and everything was lost to the fire. Tuesday is the day for my weekly instalment payment. Where can I find Tk10,000? I don't even have Tk2 in my pocket."
Another businessman, Sumon, said: "The condition of this market is very dire. There is no opportunity to set up shop like we could at Banga Bazar. Therefore, our demand is for the market to be repaired promptly, and for us to be rehabilitated swiftly."
According to sources at the District Relief and Rehabilitation Directorate, a list of 320 traders and 570 employees of the agricultural market was compiled by Friday night. This list will be forwarded to the Disaster Management Ministry and the Prime Minister's Office, following which compensation funds will be distributed to the affected businessmen and employees through the Deputy Commissioner's office.
Abdur Rahman, relief and rehabilitation officer at the Department of Disaster Management in Dhaka, said the list of affected traders and employees in the agricultural market has already been completed.
"Now this list will be sent to the Ministry of Disaster Management and the Prime Minister's Office on Sunday (today). We hope to deliver compensation to the victims within this week," he added.
Regarding rehabilitation, he said: "The current state of the market is extremely poor, and it is impossible to conduct business here without reconstruction. Dhaka North City Corporation is responsible for the market's rehabilitation, as it holds the lease for the market. This matter will be reviewed by the City Corporation."
Meanwhile, Motakabbir Ahmed, regional executive officer of Dhaka North City Corporation (Region-5), said: "After the investigation report is submitted, we will take further action regarding rehabilitation, compensation, and the future of the market, as per the mayor's instructions. We have already identified 243 affected shop owners. However, we cannot make any decisions regarding compensation and rehabilitation until the investigation is complete."
He also mentioned the formation of a 5-member investigation committee by the City Corporation. "Yesterday was our first working day, and we visited the site, speaking to locals, security personnel, and some traders. While we gathered some information, we need further inquiries. There is a directive to complete this investigation within the next seven working days, and we hope to adhere to this timeline."
Contrary to media reports, the Mohammadpur Krishi Market had been deemed safe, according to Motakabbir.
"Mohammadpur Agricultural Market was never considered at risk, and we never issued any notices to this market. There were no prior issues in this market," he added.
On the day of the fire, Director of Fire Service and Civil Defense (Operation and Maintenance), Lt Colonel Tajul Islam Chowdhury had said that the market had been previously identified as risky. He explained that excessive electricity use, inadequate fire safety systems, shops on the sidewalk, and a shortage of water contributed to the difficulties in extinguishing the fire quickly.
Fire service officials suspect that the fire may have originated from a grocery store and indicated that the investigation would determine whether it resulted from a short circuit, electrical malfunction, cigarette, or arson.
Three investigation committees have been constituted by the fire service, city corporation, and district administration in response to the Mohammadpur Krishi Market fire.
Established in 1978 under the ownership of Bangladesh Agricultural Marketing Directorate, Mohammadpur Krishi Market spans an area of five acres. The south block of its main building houses the Bangladesh Agricultural Marketing Directorate and its District Marketing Office. To the south of the Krishi Market is the Shia Mosque, while to the west lies the Shyamoli Link Road and Dhaka's new residential area, Sheikher Tek. In 1978, when the Krishi Market first opened, Naughat was situated on its western side. In 1982, the government transferred ownership and management of the market to the Dhaka City Corporation through an official order.
