Cattle market under metro station causes Tk3m damage

The temporary cattle market along the Dhaka Metro Rail corridor in Uttara has caused damage worth around Tk3 million.

A three-member probe committee of Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) has assessed the damages caused by the cattle market. The authorities concerned have decided to adjust the amount of damage from the security deposit made by the lessee.

On Thursday (June 11), a three-member investigation committee led by DNCC's Additional Chief Waste Management Officer Arifur Rahman submitted its report. The report said that the market caused damage to plants and greenery worth around Tk 1.9 million. In addition, security fencing was damaged by Tk6 lakh and about Tk5 lakh was spent on cleaning up the garbage, paying the labourers, fuel and equipment.

On the occasion of the current Eid-ul-Azha, the Dhaka Metropolitan North unit Swechchhasebak Dal got a lease for a temporary cattle market in the Boubazar area adjacent to Sectors 16 and 18 of Diyabari in Uttara. However, there are allegations that the cattle market was set up outside the designated area on the road, sidewalk and areas below the metro station. This caused extensive damage to the plants, flower gardens and the security infrastructure of the station.

After the incident sparked widespread discussion on social media, DNCC Administrator Shafiqul Islam Khan and State Minister for Local Government Mir Shahe Alam visited the scene. The officials concerned claimed that the lessee had been warned several times but did not take effective steps to control the situation.

In the meantime, DNCC has completed the renovation work of the affected area. New flowers and various trees have been planted in the area below the metro station and greening activities have been resumed.

DNCC Chief Executive Officer (Additional Duty) Mohammad Mamun-ul-Hasan said that the investigation report has been registered and sent to the administrator's office.

Administrator Shafiqul Islam Khan said that the entire compensation amount will be deducted from the lessee's security deposit based on the breach of the lease agreement and the damage.