Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) is going to open holiday markets in the city’s 11 points during the forthcoming holy month Ramadan. DMP Commissioner Md Asaduzzaman Mia has already informed the two mayors of Dhaka North and Dhaka South City Corporation of the initiative via letters, city corporation officials confirmed.
The markets will be open from 10am to 10pm during weekly holidays. The markets will sell clothes, cosmetics, shoes and other essential items at reasonable prices. As per the directive of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, initiatives have been taken by DMP to start holiday markets in the city, sources said. Keeping Muslims’ biggest religious festival Eid-ul-Fitr ahead, the numbers of buyers and sellers increase during Ramadan and hawkers occupy pavements, causing immense suffering to the pedestrians.
Since the footpaths are occupied by buyers, general people cannot use them and when they come down to the main roads, huge tailbacks are created on both sides of the roads. Keeping the lower income people and traffic congestionin mind, the PM therefore instructed the DMP to open the holiday markets.
These markets will benefit low and lower middle-class people of the city. The letter also mentioned that a drive is underway to evict illegal structures and hawkers from the footpaths.
The spots where market will be set up include: Matsya Bhaban to Shilpakala Academy, from Katabon to Shahbagh, road in front of Motijheel Ideal School and College, from Bak Chattar to Pubali Bank Road in Dilkusha, east side of Jatrabari, the field behind Arong in Lalmatia, Eid congregation field in Mirpur-1, West part of Zam Zam Tower of Uttara.
Dhaka South City Corporation’s Chief Executive Officer Mostafizur Rahman told Bangladesh Post, “As per the instructions of the PM, we will start holiday markets in the capital only during Ramadan. DSCC Mayor has got the letter of DMP. He has given directives to take necessary steps in this regard. DSCC’s estate department is working on it.”
