Langalbandh Bazar beset with problems

Lack of a proper drainage system, narrow lanes and poor transportation make life extremely difficult for both shoppers and commuters in Langalbandh Bazar, the largest weekly market in greater Khulna division.

Golam Kuddus, owner of Janata Pharmacy, said the market was initially set up about 135 years ago on the south bank of the Gorai River at Shailakupa upazila of Jhenidah and Sripur upazila of Magura, about 15km east of Shailakupa town.

People from Shailakupa of Jhenidah, Sripur and Magura Sadar of Magura district, Kumarkhali, Khoksha and Kustia Sadar of Kustia district, and Pangsha upazila of Rajbari district go for marketing every Thursday and Sunday, he added.

The Gorai River plays a key role in moving goods to and from the market. But transporting goods has become difficult due to siltation in the river during the dry season, said Golum Kuddus.

He also said that the East Pakistan government had registered the personal land of the market on Khas Khatian in 1965 by ignoring their rights. SInce then, no expansion or renovation could be done to the market. Shop-owners had filed a case against the then Ayub Khan government, but to no avail.

Ramjan Ali, a villager from Pangsha upazila of Rajbari district, said a large number of people depend on Langalbandh Bazar for their livelihood.  

Pradip Kundu, a jute trader, said the government earns about Tk. 35 lakh as revenue every year from the market. “No ambulance or fire brigade vehicle can enter the market because of lack of space,” he added.

Owing to the poor road conditions between Magura and Langalbandh as well as Shailkupa and Langalbandh, goods-laden vehicles always face problems. Besides, a major portion of the market goes under water due to a faulty drainage system.

Kundu said the market has 1,200 shops. “Most of these shops do wholesale business. The market is well-known for trading rice, wheat, onion, garlic, garments, rods, corrugated sheets, and cement. About Tk. 15-16 crore worth of trading takes place every week,” he added.

Mohammad Rokanuzzaman, the principal of Adil Uddin Degree College,at Langalbandh said: “Owing to the poor drainage system, students face problems in crossing the road. Things get worse during the rainy season.”  

Matiar Rahman, chairman of Dhalaharachandra union parishad and also the coordinator of Langalbandh Bazar, said: “The market is beset with numerous problems and that’s why no new shop has come up here for many years.”

“The government is incurring loss, as a number of shop-owners have left the market fearing that the building might collapse any day,” he added.

He said the shop-owners should continue to fight to free the land from the Khas Khatian of the government to spruce up the market.

 

 

Langalbandh Bazar beset with problems

Lack of a proper drainage system, narrow lanes and poor transportation make life extremely difficult for both shoppers and commuters in Langalbandh Bazar, the largest weekly market in greater Khulna division. Golam Kuddus, owner of Janata Pharmacy, said the market was initially set up about 135 years ago on the south bank of the Gorai River at Shailakupa upazila of Jhenidah and Sripur upazila of Magura, about 15km east of Shailakupa town. People from Shailakupa of Jhenidah, Sripur and Magura Sadar of Magura district, Kumarkhali, Khoksha and Kustia Sadar of Kustia district, and Pangsha upazila of Rajbari district go for marketing every Thursday and Sunday, he added. The Gorai River plays a key role in moving goods to and from the market. But transporting goods has become difficult due to siltation in the river during the dry season, said Golum Kuddus. He also said that the East Pakistan government had registered the personal land of the market on Khas Khatian in 1965 by ignoring their rights. SInce then, no expansion or renovation could be done to the market. Shop-owners had filed a case against the then Ayub Khan government, but to no avail. Ramjan Ali, a villager from Pangsha upazila of Rajbari district, said a large number of people depend on Langalbandh Bazar for their livelihood. Pradip Kundu, a jute trader, said the government earns about Tk. 35 lakh as revenue every year from the market. No ambulance or fire brigade vehicle can enter the market because of lack of space, he added. Owing to the poor road conditions between Magura and Langalbandh as well as Shailkupa and Langalbandh, goods-laden vehicles always face problems. Besides, a major portion of the market goes under water due to a faulty drainage system. Kundu said the market has 1,200 shops. Most of these shops do wholesale business. The market is well-known for trading rice, wheat, onion, garlic, garments, rods, corrugated sheets, and cement. About Tk. 15-16 crore worth of trading takes place every week, he added. Mohammad Rokanuzzaman, the principal of Adil Uddin Degree College,at Langalbandh said: Owing to the poor drainage system, students face problems in crossing the road. Things get worse during the rainy season. Matiar Rahman, chairman of Dhalaharachandra union parishad and also the coordinator of Langalbandh Bazar, said: The market is beset with numerous problems and thats why no new shop has come up here for many years. The government is incurring loss, as a number of shop-owners have left the market fearing that the building might collapse any day, he added. He said the shop-owners should continue to fight to free the land from the Khas Khatian of the government to spruce up the market.