Jute market on road leaves little space for commuters
JUTE MARKET ON BUSY ROAD! A seasonal jute market, arranged at Balijuri Bazar on Jamalpur-Madarganj road in Madarganj upazila under Jamalpur district, hampers vehicular movement during the market hours on Saturdays and Wednesdays, much to the distress of commuters, including students, office goers and traders. Photo: STAR
A seasonal jute market occupies much of the road at Balijuri Bazar, one kilometre away from Madarganj upazila headquarters, much to the sufferings of thousands of commuters including students, office goers and traders. The temporary market on Jamalpur-Madarganj upazila road runs during 7:00am to 1:00pm on Saturdays and Wednesdays from July to September every year. During the period, the commuters have to struggle to find any space to cross the road amid huge rush of jute sellers and buyers at the market spreading around half a kilometre area, locals said. Vehicular movement is disturbed as human haulers and carriages used to carry the item remain stranded on the road for hours. There are several educational institutions and government and non-government offices in and around Balijuri Bazar area. "Often one hour or so is wasted due to the tailback caused by standing haulers and horse-drawn carriages by which farmers and buyers carry jute. As a result, students cannot attend their classes on time," said Nazrul Islam, vice principal of Nurunnahar Mirza Kashem Women's Degree College in the area. Serious patients going to the hospitals become the worst sufferers during the market hours. Jute farmers pile up their produce beside the road for sale but due to heavy rush there, farmers are often in a hurry to sell their produce and taking the opportunity, buyers try to deprive them of fair prices, said Lutfar Rahman, a farmer of Bhelamari village. Several others including Bablu of Sukhnagari village echoed the same. Besides, business of different permanent shop owners on both sides of the road is disturbed as customers can hardly go to the shops when the jute market is run, several shop owners alleged. Locals have urged the administration to immediately shift the jute market to a suitable place for ensuring smooth communication on the road and also for the benefit of jute farmers. When contacted, Madarganj Upazila Nirbahi Officer SM Jahangir Hossain said, "None has complained to me about the matter. If sufferers submit allegations, I will try my best to solve the problem.”
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