Old Dhaka: Kitchen market relocated to playground

To ensure social distancing, the capital's Dhupkhola kitchen market -- which usually sits on the roadside -- was shifted to Dhupkhola playground on Sunday.

The initiative was jointly taken by the local police administration and army personnel.

Since the beginning of the coronavirus-induced shutdown, the kitchen market posed significant threat to maintaining social distancing in the area, as it was running on the narrow, busy road adjoining the playground.

The road is only 13 feet wide, which narrows down even further due to the makeshift shops, making commute extremely congested. This is why it was tough to maintain social distancing here, said Officer-in-Charge of Gendaria Police Station Md Shaju Miah.

A recent photo shows the crowded situation that prevailed when the market operated on the roadside. Photo: Firoz Ahmed

"We tried out different ways (to ensure social distancing).. but failed," the official said.

He told this correspondent of two ways police tried to ensure this. "We marked circles to help customers maintain distance, but most would not pay heed," the official recounted.

Additionally, they even made the road one-way to relieve some of the pressure, but that also did not work out, he said.

This is why police along with the armed forces jointly shifted the whole market to the adjacent playground as it has a huge amount of space available.

"If we did not do this, there was a high chance of coronavirus infection in the area, even to the police who were employed there," OC Shaju said.

"This is only a temporary solution. The market will be returned  to its original place once the crisis is over," he assured.

Tanvir Ahmed, a resident of Gendaria's Distilary Road of, applauded the initiative for facilitating social distancing.

"I am a very sensible person and always tried to maintain at least three feet of distance whenever I visited the market. But others weren't as conscious, and sometimes my body would inevitably come in contact with theirs," he said.

Shafiul Alam, another resident of the area, said army personnel, police officials and volunteers would frequently visit the market and request everyone to stay apart, but to little consequence.

The new setup of the market keeps the shops separated in four rows and makes it easier for customers to maintain distance between one shop and another, he said.

Shafiul reminded everyone that, "It is not only the law enforcement agencies' duty to enforce social distancing. It's a matter of co-operation, and people should voluntarily keep themselves in check and maintain distance."

It is worth noting that the setup of the kitchen market will not disrupt operations of the shops built around the playground by Dhaka City Corporation, officials said.