The temporary cattle market established in the Diabari area of Uttara for Eid-ul-Azha has caused approximately Tk 30 lakh 25 thousand in damages to the Uttara Centre Metro Rail Station. This information was revealed in a report submitted by an investigation committee formed to assess the damages. The committee members submitted the report to the North City Corporation Secretary's Office on Thursday.
Officials from Dhaka North City Corporation stated that the damages will be compensated from the security deposit of the market's leaseholder. Further decisions and necessary directives will be provided by the administrator's office.
The officials noted that the leaseholder's mismanagement significantly damaged the station's lower environment, particularly the trees, flower gardens, security fences, and other aesthetic installations. They also believe that this incident has tarnished the government's and the country's image.
This year, Dhaka North City leased a vacant area in the Boubazar region, adjacent to Sectors 16 and 18, for the cattle market during Eid-ul-Azha for Tk 14 crore 15 lakh. The lease was awarded to Sheikh Farid Hossain, the president of Dhaka Metropolitan North Volunteer Association, for Tk 14 crore 15 lakh. According to regulations, the market officially began on May 24, four days before Eid.
After the market opened, it was observed that trading of cattle extended beyond the designated area to the lower level of Uttara Centre Metro Station. The cattle market was set up on the road, sidewalks, medians, and open spaces around the station, outside the allocated area.
The following day, Dhaka North City Corporation Administrator Shafiqul Islam Khan expressed anger upon seeing the situation during an inspection. He took immediate action to remove traders from the lower level of the metro station. However, traders continued to bring cattle to the same area for trading.
The establishment of the market on the lower level of the metro station sparked extensive discussion and criticism on social media. Complainants alleged that the leaseholder failed to remove traders despite being responsible for doing so. Instead, he claimed to media personnel that the lower area of the metro station was also part of his leased market.
In light of the situation, the Local Government Deputy Minister and DNCC Administrator conducted an emergency inspection of the market on the eve of Eid. However, they did not observe any cattle being kept or traded on the lower level of the metro station. The roads, sidewalks, medians, and aesthetic installations in the area had already been cleaned before their arrival.
After Eid, on June 3, Dhaka North City Corporation formed a three-member committee to assess the damages caused by the temporary cattle market. Led by Additional Chief Waste Management Officer Arifur Rahman, the committee submitted their report today.
The committee's report stated that the market caused Tk 19 lakh 30 thousand in damages to the trees in the lower area of the metro station. The damages to the security fence or fencing were estimated at Tk 6 lakh. Additionally, approximately Tk 5 lakh was spent on cleaning the garbage and waste generated after the market. This included Tk 2.5 lakh for labor wages, Tk 1 lakh 95 thousand for vehicle fuel costs, and Tk 50 thousand for purchasing necessary materials.
Mohammad Mamun-ul-Hasan, the Chief Executive Officer (Additional Charge) of Dhaka North City Corporation, told Prothom Alo that they have received the committee's report. It has been documented and sent to the administrator's office for decision-making.
The damages will be compensated from the leaseholder's security deposit.
Today, an inspection of the lower level of Uttara Centre Metro Station in Diabari revealed that the roads, sidewalks, and open spaces were clean. Various types of flowers and aesthetic trees had been planted in the medians and surrounding open areas. In some places, new green grass had grown. Colorful flowers were blooming on the trees. City Corporation workers were seen watering the trees with water trucks.
Dhaka North City Corporation Administrator Shafiqul Islam Khan informed that the corporation has already conducted cleanliness activities and replanted trees to restore the damaged environment of the metro station.
The administrator told Prothom Alo that all leaseholders were clearly informed before the market opened that necessary actions would be taken if the terms and conditions of the lease were violated. Accordingly, the damages determined in the committee's report will be compensated from the leaseholder's security deposit.
