Dhaka,Feb 1,Redtimesbd.com

In another move to ease traffic congestion in Dhaka, the government yesterday divided the capital into seven zones and fixed separate weekly holidays for shops, shopping arcades and other commercial establishments.

The decision, made at a regular cabinet meeting with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in the chair, will be in force immediately.

Earlier, the government set fresh timings for the city's schools and private offices in an attempt to reduce congestion.

After the meeting at the Cabinet Division of the Secretariat, Prime Minister's Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad told reporters that the government had taken up various initiatives to ease congestion in the city. "Dividing the city into zones is part of that," he added.

Shops, markets and commercial establishments will remain closed for the entire day on Friday and half a day on Saturday in zone-1, which covers Banglabazar, Farashganj, Shyambazar, Jurain, Postagola, Shyampur, Dholaipar, Gendaria, Doyaganj, Dholaikhal, Mir Hazaribagh, Tipu Sultan Road, Dhupkhola, Wari, Ahsan Manjil, Lalbagh, Kotwali, Bangshal, Nababpur, Chankharpul, southern part of Gulistan, Joykali Temple area and south-western side of Jatrabari.

It means the book markets in Bangabazar, the wood markets in Farashganj, the wholesale market for raw-material in Shyambazar, Buriganga Shetu Market, Alam Super Market, Rahmania Super Market, Idris Super Market, Doyaganj Bazar, Dhupkhola Math Bazar, Chokbazar, Babu Bazar, Naya Bazar, Kaptan Bazar, Thathari Bazar, Rajdhani Super Market, Doyaganj City Corporation Market, the cloth stores in Islampur, Patuatully Electronic and Optical markets, Chhoto Katra and Baro Katra wholesale markets, Sharif Mansion, the electronics and machinery markets in Tanti Bazar and Nawabpur Road, sanitary product shops at North South Road, Azimpur Super Market, Gulistan Hawkers Market (South), Fulbaria Market and Sundarban Square Market will remain closed on Friday and remain open for half a day on Saturday.

Sunday has been fixed a full-day holiday for zone-2 and Monday a half-day holiday. The zone includes Rampura, Banashree, Khilgaon, Goran, a portion of Malibagh, Bashabo, Madartek, Mugda, Manda, Sabujbagh, east side of Kamalapur, Maniknagar, Dhalpur, Sayedabad, one part of Jatrabari, Demra, Shanir Akhra, Rayerbagh and Dhania.

Molla Tower, Al-Amin Super Market, Rampura Super Market, Malibagh Super Market, Taltola City Corporation Market, Kamlapur Stadium Market, Goran Bazar, Meradia Bazar, Abedin Tower, Dhaka Shopping Centre and Mitali and Friends Super Market are in this zone.

Zone-3 includes Eskaton, Moghbazar, Baily Road, Siddheswari, Malibagh, Shahjahanpur, Shaheedbagh, Shantibagh, Fakirapul, Paltan, Motijheel, Tikatuli, Gopibagh, Arambagh, Dilkusha, Segunbagicha, Bijoynagar, Topkhana Road, Press Club, High Court Mazar, north side of Gulistan, Ramna Park, Suhrawardy Udyan, Shishu Park, Dhaka University and Eden College area.

Century Arcade, Mouchak Market, Anarkoli Market, Bishal Centre, Ayesha Shopping Complex, Karnaphuli Garden City, Concord Twin Towers, Easten Plus, Polwel Super Market, City Heart, Zonaki Super Market, Gazi Bhaban, Paltan Super Market, Stadium Market-1 and -2, Gulistan Complex, Ramna Bhaban, Khaddar Market, Pir Yamini Market, Baitul Mukarram Market, Aziz Cooperative Market and Sakura Market are in zone-3. These will remain closed for the entire day on Thursday followed by a half-day holiday on Friday.

Zone-4 comprises Karwan Bazar, Hatirpul, Manik Mia Avenue, Razabazar, Indira Road, Monipuripara, Tejturibazar, Farm Gate, a section of Tejgaon, Nilkhet, Kataban, Elephant Road, Kalabagan, Sukrabad, Sobhanbagh, New Elephant Road, Dhanmondi, Hazaribagh, Jigatala, Pilkhana and part of Lalmatia.

Shops, shopping arcades and other commercial establishments in these areas will remain closed for the day on Tuesday and have a half-day holiday on Wednesday.

Prominent markets in this zone are: Hatirpul Bazar, Motalib Plaza, Eastern Plaza, Bashundhara City Shopping Mall, Green Super Market, Farm View Super Market, Saudia Super Market, Sezan Point, New Market, Chandrima Market, New Super Market, Gausia Market, Chandi Chawk Market, Noor Mansion, Bakusha Market, Islami Market,

Dhanmondi Hawkers Market, Eastern Mollika, Globe Shopping, Badroddoza Market, Noorjahan Market, Priyangon Shopping, Gaosul Azam Market, markets at Elephant Road, Rifles Square, ARF Shopping Centre, Orchard Point, Capital Market, Dhanmondi Plaza, Mamotaz Plaza, Metro Shopping Mall, Prince Plaza, Rapa Plaza, Arcade Plaza, Anam Rangs Plaza and Karwan Bazar DIT Market and Kitchen Market.

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