Mayor of Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) Annisul Huq expressed his hope that the wholesale market of Karwan Bazar would be shifted to Jatrabari and Gabtoli within few months.

"We have two ready markets -- one in Jatrabari and another in Gabtali. We hope we will be able to shift the market to the two ready markets within next several months," the DNCC mayor told reporters last night near Hasina Market in Karwan Bazar, which was almost fully burnt due to a devastating fire.

Over 175 various types of shops were gutted in the fire that started around 7:55pm yesterday. On information, 26 firefighting units rushed to the spot and put out the flame after two hours of frantic effort.

Talking to reporters, the DNCC mayor said over the last eight months they have been negotiating with the traders of Karwan Bazar to shift the market in two other places.

There was a positive outcome of the negotiation, he said.