Ctg markets at fire risk due to narrow roads, gridlock

CHATTOGRAM, Nov 03: Most of the markets in the port-city -- including Khatunganj, Chaktai and Asadganj -- are at high risk of fire accidents.

As the market adjacent roads are narrow and traffic congestion regularly makes them almost unusable, fire brigade personnel and equipment cannot reach the markets easily.

Everyday trade and business worth millions of taka take place in these prime business hubs of the port-city. The traders of these markets transact a huge amount of money.

But, the roads in their surrounding areas are very narrow for the fire-fighting vehicles to enter the markets during any fire accident. If any major fire accident occurs in these areas, goods worth millions of taka will be damaged.

The condition of Bokshir Hat, Teri Bazar, Reajuddin Bazar, Bohaddarhat and other prime markets in the port-city is almost similar. Many markets were not constructed in a planned manner.

Mohammed Ismail Hossain, a shop owner of Teri Bazar, said, "We are at high risk of fire incident. Most of the time electric short circuit is the cause of fire. But if a devastating fire accident will take place here, fire-fighters will not be able to rush to the spot easily and timely. So, loss of the traders will be huge."

President of Khatunganj Trade Association and Director of Chattogram Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) Sayed Sagir Ahamed said, "It is very unfortunate that the roads adjacent to the business hubs, particularly Khatunganj, Chaktai, Asadganj and Korbaniganj, are very narrow. Most of the time vehicles stand still on the roads due to gridlock.

How will fire-fighting vehicles arrive in these areas?"

Mohammed Jashim Uddin, assistant director of Chattogram Fire Service and Civil Defence, said, "It is true that fire-fighters cannot reach the business hubs very easily, as the roads are very narrow. Also, traffic jam makes the roads unusable during any disaster."

"Most of the markets lack necessary equipment to control fire. Besides, there is no fire brigade clearance at any market."

The markets of the port-city should have ample fire-fighting equipment, which can help the traders control fire immediately, he added.

A city planner and former president of Institute of Engineers, Bangladesh (IEB) Chattogram branch said, most of the markets do not have necessary fire-fighting equipment. Fire brigade personnel cannot enter the markets easily due to narrow roads.

So, preliminary fire-fighting equipment should be available, and the authority concerned should ensure proper safety measures in all the markets as these are always crowded, he added.

According to the fire brigade sources, assets worth Tk 600 million and cash amounting to more than Tk five million were damaged in fire in Chattogram in 2018. Around 100 shops of Jahur Hawker Market were gutted in a fire in the port-city last month.

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