Bangabazar Fire: Trade resumes, hope rekindled

Affected traders of Bangabazar yesterday started their business by setting up makeshift shops.

Eight days after a massive fire that burnt down Bangabazar Shopping Complex to the ground, the traders set up cots at the site where the three-storey structure once stood.

Earlier, Dhaka South City Corporation prepared the place by dumping sand and laying bricks on the site.

Mayor Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh, who opened the makeshift market, said the DSCC would provide Tk 2 crore as assistance to the affected traders.

He said, "We have given everyone the opportunity to sit here according to the list of the affected and location of shops. Since Eid is ahead, the time is very important for the traders. Considering it, we have made this arrangement of setting up cots. As the traders have to sit in the open, they are facing problems. We'll pitch tents here later."

Around 9:00am, this correspondent saw the traders bringing wooden cots on which they displayed their products.

They later started selling garments from the makeshift stalls, many of which had large umbrellas to protect them and buyers from the scorching sun.

Saiful Islam, who had two shops for children's clothes at Bangabazar Shopping Complex, said, "Now I will bring the remaining products from the wholesalers and sit here temporarily. We hope our business will be good before Eid."

Md Mohsin, owner of Allahr Dan Garments, said all goods of his shop were gutted. "I took some products from the wholesalers on credit."

Faruk Hossain, owner of Humaira Garments, said, "We have started our business under the open sky. If it rains, our products will get wet."

Zahirul Islam, general secretary of Bangabazar Shop Owners' Association, yesterday said everyone would get the space for a shop irrespective of the number of shops owned by an affected trader. Some 688 traders got the opportunity to run their business at the site, he added.

The number of shoppers was small at least until yesterday afternoon.  

Meanwhile, the affected tailors of Bangabazar formed a human chain there yesterday, seeking financial help.

Tailor Kamal Hossain said many goods were burnt in the fire. Earnings of hundreds of tailors have stopped just before Eid. Now they are struggling to meet the expenses of their families, he added.

He said, "The city corporation prepared a list of the affected traders to provide them financial assistance. People are helping them. But we haven't got any help yet. We want financial assistance from Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, businessmen and the country's people."