THERE is a need to give special attention to the New Market, the oldest market of the Dhaka City Corporation. It is because this market has been experiencing a growing pressure of customers and shoppers and losing its wide and specious appeal day by day. The worse form of this situation can be experienced when anyone goes there on a weekly holiday.
The car parking facility, which was once biggest in the city, cannot now accommodate all the vehicles coming to the market, even in two lines.
It is found that many cars move inside the market premises and are parked there, ignoring the restrictions of the security guards. These vehicles create problems for easy movement of the shoppers, often disturbing them by honking.
Not only that, shops were built up in the market area later on which are found to be inconsistent with the genuine design of the New Market. There is no need to mention about the extension part of the market, which is known as Dubai market. This portion was built without keeping open air space. This has created a serious problem for ventilation. This problem worsens during the weekends when it is impossible to get a space in this part of the market because of the shoppers and saleable goods kept outside the shops.
But all these problems do not mean that this market will require to be totally redesigned in order to conform to its main concept of having open space under the sky. Proper enforcement of rules and regulations will serve the purpose.
This market is otherwise meant to give the customers a feeling of public square where people can move enjoying fresh air and spend some leisure-time while seating in front of any food shop.
This market should not become congested or compact like the modern ones, as are seen in other parts of the city. But it does need some adjustments to meet the needs of the time.
A shopper
Azimpur
Dhaka
New Market to retain its character
FE Team | Published: August 08, 2007 00:00:00 | Updated: February 01, 2018 00:00:00
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