At least 1,000 traders are running their business at the state-owned ‘Godhuly’ Market in Rajshahi city amid high risk of accident as cracks have recently developed on the market building.
Multifarious problems, including lack of tapped water and sanitation facilities, are also plaguing the traders doing business at the market for long. The traders said they had submitted at least 22 applications to the Rajshahi Development Authority to press for eight-point demand, but the RDA is yet to meet their demands.
They alleged that the market was built seven years ago in violation of the building code. The contractor had established a four-storey building, taking permission for a three-storey, they added.
The traders also said that seven years have elapsed, but the authorities are yet to complete the floor. Even there is no supply of drinking water. A public toilet has been set up, but its pipe is connected to the drain that sends out bad smell.
Godhuly Market Traders’ Association general secretary Hasibul Alam told New Age that they had submitted 22 applications to the RDA, but they had not taken any measures to resolve the problems.
Cracks had recently developed on different parts of the building, he said, adding that the authorities had just put sand and cement mixture on the cracks.
When contacted, the RDA chairman Abdus Samad told New Age that they had received the applications and already started renovation work.
-With New Age input
