Dholaikhal spews bitter-sweet taste
Dholaikhal, located on the bank of the river Buriganga, is famous as the country’s largest market for old motor vehicles and parts, and likewise, notorious as the hub for allegedly stolen cars and motorbikes.
Along two sides of the road and footpaths, and inside a residential area, there are around 5,000 shops that sell second hand, normally termed ‘reconditioned’ chassis and parts of motor vehicles as well as other accessories. The shops employ nearly 50,000 people. The area is overpopulated for the trade and there is hardly any space to even walk freely. From nuts and bolts to heavy engines, chassis to bearings, wheel drums, springs and small parts of motor vehicles are available at Dholaikhal.
Thousands of buyers come every day for their vehicle needs as the apparatus is good in quality, and cheap in price.
However, thieves and snatchers countrywide, especially in Dhaka area, have reserved the place as their source of income. They steal motorbikes, vehicles and even headlights, mirrors and other metal accessories from various parts of the city and bring them for sale to the Dholaikhal shops.
Rayhan, a 26-year-old working in a shop in the area, said, “The thieves and snatchers usually come here and sell the stolen equipment.”
When asked, owner of Niloy Motors said, “We do not buy stolen parts. These are sold to the floating traders.”
Seeking anonymity, a worker of a store said that some dishonest tradesmen buy the stolen accessories for extra benefit, and at times even patronise the thieves.
In matters regarding complete stolen cars or motorbikes, these dishonest traders send the aforesaid vehicles to workshops by brokers. There is a secret link between the traders and brokers in the deal, he added. Some of the traders alleged that buyers are more interested to buy robbed accessories as they are much cheaper than actual price. For instance, if an actual glass costs Tk 5000 or 6000, price of a stolen glass is Tk 3000 to Tk 3500.
The buyers do not bother about from where the product comes. They just remain satisfied over buying at a reasonable price.
Meanwhile, Dholaikhal Tong Market Traders Association general secretary Saidul Bari told Bangladesh Post that plundered vehicles or parts are not brought to Dholaikhal.
About stolen vehicles, he denied the allegation and said: “Such incidents occurred many years ago, but now most are just rumors. There are strict rules in this case.”
“If anybody is found guilty of dealing in robbed vehicles, he will be punished,” Saidul Bari said in a strongly-worded cautionary.
When contacted, KM Ashraf Uddin, officer-in-charge of Sutrapur police station, said, “I have heard about smuggled merchandise many times, but have not found any clue in this regard. We have not detained anyone on this allegation.”
“If anyone comes up with authentic information, we’ll enquire into the matter,” he added.
The article was first published at Bangladesh Post
Along two sides of the road and footpaths, and inside a residential area, there are around 5,000 shops that sell second hand, normally termed ‘reconditioned’ chassis and parts of motor vehicles as well as other accessories. The shops employ nearly 50,000 people. The area is overpopulated for the trade and there is hardly any space to even walk freely. From nuts and bolts to heavy engines, chassis to bearings, wheel drums, springs and small parts of motor vehicles are available at Dholaikhal.
Thousands of buyers come every day for their vehicle needs as the apparatus is good in quality, and cheap in price.
However, thieves and snatchers countrywide, especially in Dhaka area, have reserved the place as their source of income. They steal motorbikes, vehicles and even headlights, mirrors and other metal accessories from various parts of the city and bring them for sale to the Dholaikhal shops.
Rayhan, a 26-year-old working in a shop in the area, said, “The thieves and snatchers usually come here and sell the stolen equipment.”
When asked, owner of Niloy Motors said, “We do not buy stolen parts. These are sold to the floating traders.”
Seeking anonymity, a worker of a store said that some dishonest tradesmen buy the stolen accessories for extra benefit, and at times even patronise the thieves.
In matters regarding complete stolen cars or motorbikes, these dishonest traders send the aforesaid vehicles to workshops by brokers. There is a secret link between the traders and brokers in the deal, he added. Some of the traders alleged that buyers are more interested to buy robbed accessories as they are much cheaper than actual price. For instance, if an actual glass costs Tk 5000 or 6000, price of a stolen glass is Tk 3000 to Tk 3500.
The buyers do not bother about from where the product comes. They just remain satisfied over buying at a reasonable price.
Meanwhile, Dholaikhal Tong Market Traders Association general secretary Saidul Bari told Bangladesh Post that plundered vehicles or parts are not brought to Dholaikhal.
About stolen vehicles, he denied the allegation and said: “Such incidents occurred many years ago, but now most are just rumors. There are strict rules in this case.”
“If anybody is found guilty of dealing in robbed vehicles, he will be punished,” Saidul Bari said in a strongly-worded cautionary.
When contacted, KM Ashraf Uddin, officer-in-charge of Sutrapur police station, said, “I have heard about smuggled merchandise many times, but have not found any clue in this regard. We have not detained anyone on this allegation.”
“If anyone comes up with authentic information, we’ll enquire into the matter,” he added.
The article was first published at Bangladesh Post
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