Photo: MAHMUD HOSSAIN OPUThings have to change, and they need to change fastWhat made the Chawkbazar fire an especially tragic event was that it was all preventable. All stake-holders involved -- from law enforcement to business owners to employees -- were aware of the fact that the chemical warehouses situated in Old Dhaka were a safety hazard and needed to be moved. In fact, the government had plans to construct modern warehouses in Keraniganj which would have ensured a safe storage space for these chemicals but the owners had been unwilling. Dhaka has often been plagued by unplanned development and this has inevitably caused many city-dwellers to suffer. We hope all stake-holders involved take the PM’s words and directives seriously and work towards ensuring a safer environment for the people who call this city their home.

Source: Dhaka Tribune February 24, 2019 16:41 UTC