Saving Old Dhaka from fire tragedy

Incidents of fire-related disasters often take place in Old Dhaka. This part of the city houses around 500 chemical warehouses and factories. However, these risky business is done in densely-populated residential areas. As a result, a number of tragic fire incidents were reported in the older parts of Dhaka. If we look back, we will be able to recall the heart-rending chemical warehouse explosion that took place in February 2019 in Chawkbazar that killed nearly 70 people. Years ago, a similar fire in Nimtoli claimed the lives of 124 individuals. An old saying by Georg Hegel states, "The only thing that we learn from history is that we learn nothing from history."
Following such accidents, the government formed investigation committees and task forces that recommended relocating factories and warehouses from this part of the capital. However, the authorities concerned failed to do so from the over-populated, residential alleyways of Old Dhaka. Many inhabitants of this area, however, have long been demanding the relocation. In this situation, a comprehensive plan for this part of the city is needed to ensure that disasters like the Chawkbazar and Nimtoli fires never happen again.

Badsha Faysal,
Jurain, Dhaka,
[email protected]