Century-old haat plagued with problems in Pirojpur

Over a century-old Atghar haat under Nesarabad upazila in Pirojpur remains plagued with manifold problems.

Water supply and sanitation system are in miserable condition as well as the sheds made for the temporary traders have also been damaged.

As a result, the businessmen of the haat have to face untold sufferings to run their business.

Although the haat sits on Fridays and Mondays year-round, during the guava and hog plum season it sits daily.

The area is well known for cultivation of guava and hog plum.

On the other hand, the haat is situated at the border of Pirojpur and Jhalakathi district. As a result, people from both two districts come to the haat.

"The haat is in poor condition for years. But for the last ten years, it has remained in the worst condition," said a trader of the haat, Mohammad Kabir.

There is no arrangement of sitting for the fish traders and other temporary businessmen who come to the haat from different areas, he also said.

Besides, there is no good source of drinking water here, he added.

Younus Ali Mollah, another trader of the haat, said the public toilets in the haat are not usable as they have been damaged for long.

"We have urged the local public representatives again and again for the development of the haat. But the situation has not been changed," he said adding though the government earns revenue from the haat, it is not taking any care of it.

Locals have also said that huge number of people comes to the haat daily. Even, during the guava season the area remains crowded with the presence of tourists from different parts of the country.

Contacted, Mosharef Hossain, upazila nirbahi officer of Nesarabad, said that he is aware of the problems of the haat.

"The haat is very important and we have a plan to develop it," he said.

The problems of the haat will be addressed soon, he added.

Caption: The sheds at Atghar haat in Pirojpur's Nesarabad upazila made for the temporary traders have been lying broken for long, thanks to the authorities' negligence to the matter. Photo: Star