Narayanganj
Traffic congestion escalates in Narayanganj city due to rules violation
Traffic congestion in Narayanganj city is becoming increasingly severe as many drivers, including those of private cars, rickshaws, auto-rickshaws, and human haulers, continue to flout road rules.
To avoid the daily gridlocks, some drivers are choosing to travel in the opposite direction creating new traffic jams.
In addition, the situation is worsened by illegal vehicles parked along the roads, which are narrowing the streets.
This traffic problem has been affecting city residents year-round, with major roads such as Bangabandhu Road, Shayesta Khan Road, Nawab Sirajuddaula Road, and the Dhaka-Narayanganj Old Road experiencing frequent jams.
Several factors including ongoing roadwork, illegal parking, hawkers blocking footpaths, and illegal vehicle stands, contribute to the congestion.
During a recent visit to the area, it was observed that renovation work is underway along Bangabandhu Road, with piles of gravel, soil, bricks, and stones blocking parts of the road.
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As a result, one lane between Nitaiganj and Chashara is now unusable. At Rail Gate No. 2, traffic from Chashara is also being held up by ongoing construction, causing a queue that stretches back to Digubabur Bazar.
Auto-rickshaws and human haulers have been going in the wrong direction from Narayanganj Club towards Rail Gate No. 2, picking up passengers and slowing down the already blocked traffic.
Auto-rickshaw drivers said that rather than wait for long periods in traffic, they prefer to drive on the opposite side of the road, believing it will allow them to drop off passengers faster.
Siam Ahmed, a government employee, said that the lack of following traffic laws is making the situation worse.
He said that illegal parking and hawkers have already made it difficult to navigate the roads. The additional issue of vehicles travelling in the wrong direction is adding to the chaos, and the risk of accidents is increasing.
He urged the police and local authorities to take strict action to restore order on roads.
A local pedestrian, Rifat, mentioned that vehicles often drive the wrong way near Popular Diagnostic Center, Friends Market in Kalir Bazar, and Rail Gate No. 2, which leads to traffic jams and frequent quarrels between drivers.
Delay in Dhaka-Narayanganj Link Road expansion causes severe traffic disruptions
Ruhul Amin Sagar, Additional Superintendent of Police (Traffic), said that road renovation projects are causing some of the congestion.
He said that renovation work is underway on various roads in the city. Drain renovation work is underway towards Rail Gate No. 2. Almost half of the road is occupied with soil, bricks, stones, and machinery, he added.
He also noted that work by DPDC in Chashara has resulted in soil being dumped in the area, further restricting traffic.
To address the issue, traffic police are conducting operations with the army, magistrates, and local authorities, issuing fines, making arrests, and taking action against violators.
Despite these efforts, many drivers continue to disregard traffic laws.
He mentioned that since August last year, many have been ignoring traffic rules and regulations, with cars that were previously prohibited from entering the city now being driven there.
However, the officer remains hopeful that once the roadwork is completed, the situation will improve and road order will be restored.
4 weeks ago
Ex-NCC councilor, his son arrested
A former councilor of Narayanganj City Corporation (NCC) and his son were arrested from Bashundhara Residential area in the capital early Monday.
The arrestees were Matiur Rahman Moti, 55, former councilor of NCC and a Jubo League leader and his son Mashiur Rahman, 29.
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Sujon Haque, Officer-in-Charge of Bhatara Police Station, said police arrested Matiur, a close aide of Shamim Osman and his son from a flat in Bashundhara Residential area around 2 am.
They were wanted in several cases filed in Dhaka and Narayanganj.
Abdullah Al Masud, additional superintendent of Narayanganj District Police, said both of them were wanted in different cases including murder.
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They will be shown arrested in the cases, he said.
Matiur was president of Siddhirganj thana unit Jubo League and he was elected the councilor of No 6 ward in NCC twice.
1 month ago
N’ganj, Kushtia get new DCs
The interim government has appointed new deputy commissioners(DCs) in Kushtia and Narayanganj districts.
The Public Administration Ministry issued two separate notifications in this regard on Monday.
Kushtia deputy commissioner Toufiqur Rahman has been transferred and posted as deputy commissioner of Narayanganj district.
Thakurgaon, Rangamati get new DCs
Besides, Shamim Ara Rini, secretary of Gazipur City Corporation has been appointed as the deputy commissioner of Kushtia district.
1 month ago
BNP dissolves its Narayanganj district committee
BNP has dissolved its Narayanganj district committee as per the recommendation of a probe body.
A new committee for the party’s Narayanganj district unit will be announced soon, said a press release signed by BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi on Tuesday.
“BNP’s Narayanganj district committee has been dissolved based on recommendations of the investigation committee formed over it,” said the release.
On June 18, 2023, former lawmaker Gias Uddin and Golam Faruk Khokon were elected the president and the general secretary respectively of the Narayanganj district BNP committee.
Read: BNP’s Magura and Kushtia district units dissolved
Sources within the party said the probe committee was formed over alleged involvement of some leaders and activists of the district unit in misdeeds including extortion and sheltering criminals in exchange for money following the August 5 political changeover.
1 month ago
Fire breaks out at spinning mill in Narayanganj
A fire broke out at Jahin Spinning Mill, a yarn manufacturing factory of Narayanganj's Araihazar on Monday night.
The fire started around 10:08 pm in the Jhaugara area of the upazila.
Upon receiving the news, five units of the Fire Service worked to bring the blaze under control.
Fire at agro-products warehouse in Mymensingh under control
According to eyewitness, the flames spread rapidly within moments.
Warehouse Inspector Anwarul Islam from the media cell of the Fire Service and Civil Defence (FSCD) headquarters said that the cause of the fire is yet to be determined.
1 month ago
Winter shopping frenzy in Narayanganj as cold weather sets in
As winter weather sets in, the demand for warm clothing has started to rise in Narayanganj, with both city markets and street stalls seeing a boom in sales.
The streets and rural areas are now covered in fog, signaling the arrival of colder temperatures.
While light fog was observed in urban areas in the morning, it cleared by midday, but the temperature continues to drop, making warm clothes increasingly necessary.
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The cold weather has led to a change in people's clothing preferences, with many starting to wear warm items like sweaters, jackets, gloves, earmuffs, and shawls.
As a result, the sale of winter clothes has picked up, with small traders setting up stalls along roadsides and in markets across the city, including popular areas like Chashara Hawkers Market, Salimullah Road, Bangabandhu Road, and Shayesta Khan Road.
Shops and stalls are now filled with a wide variety of winter clothes for all ages, from children to the elderly. Both new and second-hand clothing is available, with colorful sweaters, jackets, woolen gloves, socks, earmuffs, and more on display.
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Shoppers have been flocking to these markets, especially in the evenings, to buy clothes for themselves and their families.
In Chashara, several shops near the Hawkers Market have already started selling winter clothes.
Shoppers are roaming through the stalls, picking out items they like, while others continue to compare prices and styles at different shops.
Many people are buying clothes for their children, parents, or for themselves. According to the sellers, the evening hours see the highest number of customers.
Vendors said that sales are brisk during the early winter, with the demand for warm clothing growing due to the cool weather.
However, they note that sales typically slow down as winter progresses. The clothes available in these markets are sourced from various local garment factories, as well as from countries like China and the Philippines.
Winter cloth sale rises on Lalmonirhat footpaths
Some vendors have informed that their stalls are particularly popular due to the affordable prices.
Deep Hossain Fahim, a seller in Chashara, mentioned that velvet T-shirts from China and the Philippines are in high demand, especially among young people. "The sales are good, but we know that towards the end of winter, demand will decrease," he said.
Other sellers, like Md. Saiful Islam, offer a variety of winter items, including sweaters, jackets, and full-sleeve T-shirts made of thick fabric.
Shimu Akhter, who was at a stall with her mother and daughter, said that the colder weather prompted her to buy winter clothes for her child.
"The weather office says it will be colder this year, so I am looking for good winter clothes at affordable prices. The prices here are much lower than in the shopping malls," she added.
Another shopper, Jahangir, shared that he prefers buying local winter clothes as he prepares for cold weather abroad. "I lived in Europe for a long time and prefer buying locally made clothes because they are often cheaper and of good quality," he said.
Other shoppers, like Lata Debnath and Tasmia Akhter, also expressed satisfaction with the variety and prices of winter clothes available at the stalls on the footpath. Many people are choosing to buy from these stalls, finding good deals and a wide selection of items, compared to the higher prices in bigger stores.
Lata Debnath said, "Winter has arrived, and I need to buy warm clothes. I also need to buy clothes for my parents, so I came with my mother to shop."
Overall, the winter clothes market in Narayanganj is thriving as people gear up for the colder months, with both large shops and small street vendors contributing to the rise in sales.
2 months ago
11 workers injured in Narayanganj factory fire
At least 11 workers were burnt following an explosion and subsequent fire in an aerosol and air freshener factory of Bashundhara Group at Meghnaghat in Sonargaon upazila of Narayanganj on Sunday morning.
The 10 injured were identified as Biplob, 28, Arif, 17, Hasan, 22, Shaon, 24, Hossain, 18, Chanchal, 26, Tamzid Sheikh, 40, Tonmoy, 25, Nur Islam, 23, and Al Amin, 24 while the identity of another worker could not be known.
The injured were admitted to the National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery.
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According to witnesses, the explosion occurred around 10 am during the production process.
The factory's firefighting team managed to extinguish the fire within 10 minutes without assistance from external fire services.
Morshed Alam, the security in-charge of Bashundhara Paper Mill Unit-1, said that the fire was caused by a small gas leak while filling air freshener bottles.
Dr. Shaon Bin Rahman, resident surgeon at the National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery, said 10 of the injured workers were brought to the emergency department for treatment.
However, the extent of their burns is yet to be determined.
2 months ago
Fire at tissue warehouse in Narayanganj under control
A fire that broke out in the warehouse of a tissue manufacturing factory in Meghnaghat, Sonargaon upazila, Narayanganj, was brought under control after nearly four hours of frantic efforts, according to the Fire Service and Civil Defence (FSCD).
Anwarul Islam, warehouse inspector at the FSCD headquarters said that the blaze was brought under control around 9am.
Read: Foam factory fire under control in Chattogram
Earlier, the fire erupted in the godown of Fresh Tissue Paper around 5:10 am.
Upon receiving the information, 19 firefighting units from various stations rushed to the scene, he said adding that the cause of the fire is yet to be known.
2 months ago
Mamunul Haque acquitted in rape case
Khelafat Majlish Secretary General Maulana Mamunul Haque has been acquitted in the rape case related to an incident at Royal Resort in Sonargaon of Narayanganj district.
Judge Jasmine Ara Begum of the Narayanganj District Women and Children Repression Prevention Tribunal delivered the verdict on Thursday in Mamunul Haque’s presence in the courtroom.
Defence lawyer Advocate AKM Omar Faruq Nayan said that Maulana Haque was found not guilty of the charges brought against him in connection with the case.
This case stems from an incident that took place at the Royal Resort in April 2021.
After the trial, the court ruled in favour of the accused.
On April 3 in 2021, local Jubo and Chhatra league activists confined the Hefazat leader along with a woman to Royal Resort. Mamunul then claimed the woman to be his second wife.
On information, Hefazat fellows and madrasah students rushed to the spot and snatched him from the resort after carrying out an attack.
On April 18, a team of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) arrested him from a madrasah in Mohammadpur area.
On April 30, the woman, who was said to be Mamunul’s wife, filed a case under Women and Children Repression and Prevention Act with Sonargaon police station in Narayanganj.
On September 10, the investigation officer of the case submitted a chargesheet to the court against Mamunul.
On November 3, the court framed charges against him.
Twenty-six, out of 40 witnesses, including the woman, gave testimonies against the Khelafat Majlish leader.
3 months ago
Nayamati: A commercial hub at risk of fire hazards
Nayamati, a key commercial hub in Narayanganj city, is marked by its narrow lanes, making it difficult for four-wheeled vehicles to navigate. Despite this, the area sees the annual trade of hosiery products worth hundreds of crores. However, these businesses, collectively valued in the thousands of crores, face significant fire hazards.
A ground visit revealed that the entire area is ensnared in a tangle of electrical wires. In some spots, the clutter is so thick that the sky is barely visible from the streets. Locals report frequent fires caused by short circuits in these wires, which are typically extinguished using water from buildings on either side.
However, in this bustling commercial zone, where every building is packed with fabric, chemicals, and thread, fire service vehicles are unable to reach the scene.
"If a major fire were to occur in this area, no one knows how to handle it," said a hosiery businessman.
On October 7 at 11pm, a severe fire erupted in Narayanganj's Kali Bazar area caused by an electrical short circuit, resulting in the destruction of 40 shops. Since that incident, fear and anxiety have taken hold of hosiery traders and workers in Nayamati.
Read: Workplace Fire Safety: 12 Effective Ways to Prevent Fire Hazards
The Bangladesh Hosiery Association reports that there are approximately 8,000 hosiery businesses in Narayanganj, with the majority situated in Nayamati and its vicinity. Data from the Fire Service highlights that Nayamati is at a high risk for fire incidents, despite its crucial role in meeting Bangladesh's domestic clothing needs.
Hosiery businessman Abdus Selim stated, "Every market and building here involves transactions worth crores of taka, but there is no safety for our lives. If you monitor closely, you won't find any fire extinguishing equipment or water reserves. Since fire service vehicles cannot access this area in the event of a fire, businesses should take that into consideration."
However, no one seems to be concerned about it, Abdus Selim added.
He alleged that the City Corporation, Fire Service, and other government agencies are also responsible for this situation.
Abeda Parveen, a worker at Rahman Hosiery, stated, "The road we enter frequently catches fire due to the wires. We have to extinguish the flames using water and sand from the buildings. What more can I say about our workplace? If a fire breaks out on the ground floor, there’s no way for us to escape."
Read more: Panel formed to prove vessel fire at Ctg port
She noted the stark difference between garment factories and hosiery units, explaining, "Garment factories have two staircases and fire extinguishing equipment, while the hosiery units in Nayamati lack these essentials. Are our owners not making enough money? But, they seem to evade scrutiny."
She called on the government to address this issue, warning that without intervention, they could face deadly fires.
Meanwhile, some local business owners recognized that although the area is highly susceptible to fire hazards, the Fire Service pays little attention here. They pointed out that there have been no substantial efforts from this government agency to establish a safe commercial environment in Nayamati.
When reached for a comment, Fakhruddin Ahmed, Deputy Director of the Narayanganj Fire Service, stated, "Please call me during office hours; I am currently unwell."
Read more: Top Strategies to Enhance Fire Resilience in Dhaka City
3 months ago