As the month of Ramadan started, the bustling streets of Old Dhaka came alive with the aroma of spices and the sizzle of frying pans. The Iftar bazars in this ancient section of the capital are a battleground for traditional dishes vying to be crowned the ultimate feast to break one's fast. Amongst the labyrinthine lanes of Chawkbazar, Islampur, Bangla Bazar, and the roadside tong shops, vendors engage in a spirited rivalry to tantalize the taste buds of the devout. Chawkbazar stands as a bastion of tradition in the realm of Iftar markets, offering a cornucopia of culinary delights. Here, amidst the throng of eager patrons, one can find an array of Iftar staples: chickpeas, piaju, puri, chop, and juice, alongside a plethora of innovative creations. The alleys of Islampur and Bangla Bazar also boast diverse assortments of Iftar treats, showcasing the rich culinary heritage of the region. Central to the charm of Chawkbazar is the legendary 'Boro Baper Polay Khay' Iftar, a concoction steeped in tradition and flavor. Comprising an eclectic mix of 15 ingredients, including chicken, minced meat, cotton kebab, and an assortment of spices, it embodies the essence of Old Dhaka's culinary heritage. Priced between Tk 800 to Tk 1200 per kilogram, it stands as a testament to the enduring appeal of tradition. With two more demises today, death toll from Gazipur gas cylinder blast rises to 5 However, a newcomer to the scene, 'Shob Baper Polay Khay,' poses a formidable challenge to the reigning champion. Vendors tout its credentials, proclaiming, "This is the traditional food of Dhaka, the best of Chawkbazar." They claim that their food has a 78-year-old tradition. Kebabs reign supreme in this gastronomic arena, with vendors proudly presenting an assortment of tantalizing options. From Tengri Kebab to Suti Kebab, Sheek Kebab, and Kathi Kebab, the choices are as diverse as they are delectable. Whole chicken roasts, quail roasts, and succulent leg of goat roasts vie for attention alongside savory beef haleem and fragrant biryanis. Vegetarian offerings such as vegetable naan, milk naan, and keema paratha cater to diverse palates, while vendors employ persuasive advertising tactics to attract discerning buyers.

A fire that broke out at a market in the capital’s Chawkbazar area on Saturday night has been doused. The fire started at a hardware market at Imamganj around 11:44 pm, said Anwarul Islam, warehouse inspector of fire service and civil defense headquarters (media cell). Read more: Fire at shoe warehouse in Old Dhaka under control On information, 10 firefighting units from Lalbagh, Sadarghat and Palashi Barak fire stations rushed to the spot and brought the fire under control around 1:05am today (Sunday). However, what caused the fire could not be known yet. No injuries or causalities have been reported.

A fire that broke out in a six-storey building in Old Dhaka's Chawkbazar on Tuesday has been doused. It took nine units of fire fighters two hours and a quarter to completely douse the fire,  that originated in a warehouse for plastic goods on the third floor of the building around 4:30 pm. Although no casualties have been reported, it once again exposed the vulnerabilities resulting from warehouses storing flammable items being located in an otherwise residential area, a frequent cause of fires in the area.  An estimate of losses and the reason behind the fire can only be determined through an investigation, said Ershad Hossain, duty officer at the Fire Service and Civil Defense headquarters control room.

A fire broke out in a multi-storey building at Chawkbazar  in Old Dhaka on Tuesday afternoon. The fire started on the third floor of the building around 4:30 pm and nine firefighting units are currently working to bring the blaze under control, said Dewan Azad Hossain, Duty Officer of Fire Service and Civil Defense control room headquarters. There is a plastic warehouse on the 3rd floor of  the building, he said.  

Two people were killed as a transformer exploded near Islambagh Madina petrol pump at Chawkbazar in the capital on Wednesday night. The deceased were identified as Md Maruf, 17, an employee of a shop and  truck owner Hero, 40. Read:Moghbazar blast: Death toll rises to 10 Three people  were also injured in the explosion.Two of them are Sarwar, 20, and Sohag, 30. Chawkbazar Police Station Inspector Md Abdul Qayyum said the transformer exploded during heavy showers when a truck was heading towards Sowari Ghat, injuring five people. The injured were first taken to Mitford Hospital after the blast. Read: Moghbazar blast: Another body found in debris; death toll stands at 8 Later, three of them were taken to Sheikh Hasina National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery where doctors declared Maruf dead at midnight. Truck owner Hero died in the morning while undergoing treatment at a private hospital at Shyamoli. Dr Partha Shankar Pal, a resident physician at the Sheikh Hasina National Burn Institute, said, of the two injured patens, Sarwar's condition is critical as 48% of his body was burnt.

In Old Dhaka, known for its food, centuries-old buildings and narrow alleys, people are living with “bombs” in the form of hundreds of chemical warehouses that pepper this historic neighbourhood. Fires at such godowns, which lack safety measures, have killed scores over the years. Eleven years after Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina ordered the relocation of the warehouses following the death of about 100 people in Nimtoli fire, they are yet to be shifted largely because of vehement opposition by traders. Another 78 lives were lost in the infamous Chawkbazar fire but the tragic deaths did not bring about any change. Also read: Armanitola chemical warehouse fire: 2 owners held After the latest fire incident that started at a chemical storehouse on April 23 at Armanitola killing four people, the government is now saying that these godowns will be relocated permanently to Munshiganj within 2022. Industries Secretary KM Ali Azam told UNB that preparing a 308-acre plot for relocation is going on in Munshiganj. About 2,000 warehouses can be set up there. For now, 53 warehouses will be shifted to Tongi temporarily – seven of them have already been relocated. Another 54 will be moved to Shyampur – 19 have already been shifted and the rest will be relocated within three months, the secretary said. Asked about such storehouses in Dhaka, he said available information put the number at around 2,000. “We can relocate them permanently to Munshiganj within 2022,” Secretary Azam said. Read BSEC moves to set up chemical warehouse at Tongi Relocation ‘Very Soon’ A committee, headed by the Cabinet, secretary supervises the relocation of chemical warehouses and all aspects of this trade, he said. The committee has representatives from Rajuk, Industries Ministry, Home Ministry and other related ministries. This committee also oversees licences for the traders. Dhaka South City Corporation’s Chief Executive Officer and newly-appointed Rajuk Chairman ABM Aminullah Noori told UNB that the Industries Ministry had undertaken two projects to relocate the chemical warehouses from Old Dhaka. The projects are in Munshiganj and Tongi. The one in Tongi is expected to be completed within this year. “Once they’re ready, all the chemical warehouses will be moved out of Old Dhaka,” he said. Also read: Fire guts 3 Keraniganj chemical warehouses, 10 hurt He, however, did not give a timeframe for completion of the projects. “We’re optimistic about relocating them very soon,” he said. Aminullah said the unplanned warehouses of Old Dhaka are a long-time issue. “It can’t be resolved without the cooperation of local traders and residents. Moving the warehouses took time because of the local traders’ opposition,” he said, adding that the government is continuing its efforts and is optimistic that godowns will be relocated soon. Read Armanitola building fire: One more victim dies Ticking Time Bombs Bangladesh Institute of Planners (BIP) General Secretary Dr Adil Mohammad Khan said: “The people in Old Dhaka are living on a bomb. The warehouses were not moved even 11 years after the Nimtoli tragedy.” He said such incidents will recur if the government does not take strong steps to protect the people’s lives and properties. “The chemicals stored in Old Dhaka and other areas pose a constant threat of deadly explosions. Necessary steps should be taken after finding out the reasons why the warehouses were not relocated even after the Nimtoli and Churihatta incidents,” he said adding that exemplary punishment should be meted out. Also read: BSEC moves to set up chemical warehouse at Tongi Adil lauded the city corporations for not issuing trade licences for chemical warehouses after the Nimtoli and Churihatta incidents. “The authorities concerned haven’t been able to successfully monitor the chemical warehouse and factories,” he said. Making Everyone Accountable BIP said that most of the chemical factories and warehouses in Old Dhaka were not constructed following building code and standard. “People are residing in the same building housing warehouses, a dangerous practice that has been going on for years,” he said. These warehouses were constructed out of greed, violating the rules. “Their existence has put a big question mark on our pledges to build a modern and livable city,” he said. Read Fire at Old Dhaka plastic factory brought under control Backtracking from an earlier decision to relocate chemical warehouses to multi-storey buildings in Keraniganj BSCIC Industrial Estate facing opposition from traders was delaying the relocation. The government decided to shift warehouses by building a plot-based industrial estate. Many house owners in Old Dhaka are illegally renting out their buildings to be used as chemical factories and warehouses to earn extra bucks. They themselves are living in other areas, leaving their tenants in danger. “This practice will continue until the house owners are brought under the law. Traders of illegal chemical factories and warehouses should be brought to book,” he said. “And, actions should be taken against the government officials concerned if they’ve neglected their work (in this regard).” Also read: Fire at Benapole port chemical warehouse

A fire broke out at a plastic factory in Old Dhaka's Chawkbazar area early today.

Some miscreants hacked a young man to death in City’s Chawkbazar area on Saturday.

Some 200 houses were put under lockdown in different parts of capital Dhaka on Tuesday as a number of residents from those areas tested positive for coronavirus.