More than four years have passed since Shakhari Bazar was announced a national heritage site but indifference of the authorities concerned was turning the historic neighbourhood of old Dhaka into a pile of wreckage. The life of the people living in the neighbourhood is at stake as no step for the restoration or renovation of the old buildings has been taken after Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha announced Shakhari Bazar a heritage site in February 2009.
Around 20,000 residents of Shakhari Bazar are now living in a dangerous situation while they were barred from modifying or developing any parts of the area on their own.
As the authorities concerned were not renovating the area, Ajay Kumar Nandy, head of the Shakhari community, demanded cancellation of the announcement of heritage site.
He said their lives were at risk as old buildings would collapse anytime.
‘Incident like Rana Plaza collapse may take place in the area but the authorities seem very much unconcerned about it, he said.
There are some 142 houses in the tiny neighbourhood and some shops of craftwork, musical instruments and goldsmiths in the area, which is densely populated.
Biswajit Ghosh, a resident of the area, said they were now in trouble as they had been forbidden to do any development works in their houses though the buildings were in a vulnerable condition.
‘Accidents may happen anytime, causing huge loss of life,’ he feared.
‘We’re the owners (of the Mohalla) and we’re to do whatever we want. It’s (Shakhari Bazaar) not a heritage site… rather we’re the victim of conspiracy,’ angrily said a sexagenarian.
Ashraful Islam, deputy director of Nagar Unnayan Department of Rajuk, told New Age that the process to give Shakari Bazar a heritage shape was under way.
But policy and lack of coordination among different authorities have stalled preservation of Shakhari Bazar.
‘Rajuk announced Shakhari Bazar a heritage site but different bodies like archaeology department, cultural ministry, architectural department, public works department would have to work together to make the project a success,’ he said.
Ataur Rahman, regional director (Dhaka division) of Department of Archaeology, also said the coordination among different bodies could save Shakhari Bazar.
‘An inter-ministerial body could harmonise the different departments involved to press forward the work,’ he said.
-With New Age input
