Temporary market makes a comeback in Sylhet city

Lighting, water, sanitation and security arrangements have been ensured at the Laldighirpar field (market) in Sylhet city, so that street vendors can continue their trade operations there, clearing all the busy footpaths and streets of the city - but very few were seen relocating on Monday.

Vendors could have been easily accommodated at the temporary market starting Monday, according to Sylhet City Corporation (SCC) Chief Engineer Ali Akbar. "It may take a week (more) to make the Laldighirpar temporary market fully ready where about 3,000 to 3500 vendors would be able to sit for trading in open space," Engineer Akbar added. The vendors are being listed and Tk 5 million would be spent this time, he further said.

Last week, the district administration, city corporation and police announced their commitment to evict the vendors from the streets and sources say they are currently on the field for the purpose. For the past three to four days, the SCC has been working to prepare the Laldighirpar market. Meanwhile, vendors were evicted from the risky Keane Bridge, recently declared usable by pedastrians and two-wheelers.

The officials had warned that strict actions will be taken against the vendors who choose to continue trade on the streets instead of the market after the authorities finish preparing the site.

Previously, vendors, who occupied the streets and footpaths in almost all the busy areas in the city, were evicted on several occasions. But, they made returns.

In 2021, former mayor Ariful Haque Choudhury initiated efforts to relocate the vendors to Laldighirpar, making arrangements for several hundred vendors at that time, but the street-sellers could not continue for long, citing poor drainage system, insufficient lighting, etc. In 2023, former mayor Anwaruzzaman Chowdhury moved the vendors at the temporary market for the second time, spending as much as Tk 15 million. Although the initiative bought notable changes initially, the street scenes changed back to the same as before after the regime change following the July-August Movement in 2024.

Deputy Commissioner Md. Sarwar Alam said the buyers should be convinced to go to the Laldighirpar market. "Otherwise it would be hard to implement the new arrangement."

Sylhet Police Commissioner Abdul Quddus Chowdhury said vendors who violate the rules will face punitive measures.

Some vendors said it would take time to draw the buyers at the Laldighirpar market. "We need permanent structures there, otherwise it would be hard to make the arrangements working," one of the vendors said.

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