The Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) is set to take action against illegal shop owners in different markets under it, Mayor Md Atiqul Islam said on Tuesday.
There are a large number of illegal shops in different markets including Karwanbazar, Mohammadpur Town Hall Market, and Rayerbazar and the owners of these don't want modern markets in their own interests, the mayor said.
He made the disclosure as the chief guest while inaugurating the reconstruction of Mohammadpur Krishi Market in the city.
"I have instructed the DNCC officials and councillors to prepare a list of illegal shop owners, and action will be taken against them soon," he said.
The mayor also said some markets including Karwanbazar are dilapidated and may collapse at any time.
Some traders are reluctant in their decision not to leave the markets despite the risk of collapse, the mayor said, adding that who will take responsibility if consumers are affected in case of any unexpected incident.
Only illegal shop owners can show such disregard for a serious issue, he said.
"We want to reconstruct the old markets, turning them into modern and smart shopping complexes," the mayor said adding that the process doesn't mean taking away the proprietorship of legal shop owners.
Senior Awami League leader Jahangir Kabir Nanak, Member of Parliament of Dhaka-13 constituency Md. Sadek Khan, DNCC officials and traders were present at the ceremony.
Each of the 412 affected traders of the Krishi Market was given a cheque worth Tk 25,000 by DNCC and a cheque worth Tk 20,000 from the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief.
Over 200 shops were gutted in a fire in mid-September, leaving many traders in serious trouble.
© 2024 - All Rights with The Financial Express
