Dhaka, Sept. 17 -- Dhaka has been trying to move the wholesale produce trade out of Karwan Bazar for two decades.

Three alternative wholesale markets were built at Gabtoli, Mohakhali and Jatrabari. Governments changed. Deadlines came and went. The traders stayed where they were.

Now the plan is back.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Aug 29 directed the authorities to relocate Karwan Bazar's kitchen market to Gabtoli as part of a wider effort to ease traffic congestion and reorganise transport and wholesale markets in the capital.

The immediate question is whether the city can finally complete a process that has been stalled for nearly 20 years.

Another is more basic: is Gabtoli actually ready to receive the market?

A visit there on ...