Special Correspondent:

Though, the earning is continued, there is no development of Hats and Baza’ars in Tarash upazila of Sirajganj district due to lack of patronization by the concerned authorities.

As a result, public sufferings have now become regular phenomenon in these Hats and Baza’ars. Pledges are available here, but no sign of implementation is found that causes rage among the local residents.

Sources said, over two dozens of Hats and Baza’ars in the upazila have been lying without development for a long time due to lack of patronization by the concerned authorities. However, the government earns crores of taka from these markets every year. Although this money is deposited in the bank, there is no effective initiative to maintain and modernize the markets.

According to the Local Government Engineering Department (LGED), the then Upazila Executive Officer (UNO) Md. Nurul Islam had finalized a project worth about Tk 6 crore for the development of 25 markets (Hats and Baza’ars). But after his transfer, the project implementation stalled.

Fazlul Haque, Upazila Engineer in Tarash stated that, the tender process will start only if the incumbent UNO Nusrat Zahan gives consent.

Md. Nizam Uddin, Leaseholder of the traditional Naogaon Hat in the upazila said that, “We have taken lease with Tk 2.85 crore, but there is no development in the hat. Most of the sheds in the Hat have already been collapsed, while the internal roads have been lying in ramshackle condition. Besides, water-logging problem has now taken serious turn due to poor drainage system.

Nurul Islam, Leaseholder of Binsara Hat said that, “There is no shed in Binsara Hat, also one of the largest paddy markets in the northern region. Farmers are forced to sell paddy on both sides of the road putting the lives at risk. This century-old Hat is now facing destruction.

The Bir (heroic) Freedom Fighter SM Abdur Razzak, former secretary of Tarash Baza’ar said that, “Three sheds have been collapsed. It has been discussed repeatedly, but no effective measures have yet been taken by the authorities concerned, though the money earned from the Baza’ar is being deposited in the right funds.

During a spot visit to different Hats and Baza’ars in Tarash upazila, this correspondent found that, buyers and sellers suffer from both the sun and rain due to lack of shed or shelter. Besides, it has become difficult to walk in the market due to the accumulated mud caused by poor drainage system. There are no toilets, no tube wells. Many markets have risky infrastructure that could collapse, sellers and buyers said.

Upazila Nirbahi Officer Nusrat Zahan said that, “The issues have been taken seriously by the upazila administration. Necessary steps will be taken in this regard to solve the problems after talking with the Deputy Commissioner Muhammad Nazrul Islam.”