Hazaribag Bazaar | হাজারীবাগ বাজার: Hazaribag in old Dhaka is famous for the tannery industry, although it is facing a struggle to survive until recently it was a good business for foreign currency earnings. The Leather Technology College of Bangladesh is situated here.
There are 360 tanneries, of varying size, located at Hazaribag. The size of the industry means that there is a big problem with wastage and pollution from chemicals; consequently the government has taken a decision to shift the industry outside of Dhaka by 2010.
Along with tannery and leather related businesses, there is a general market at Hazaribag that was started before independence. As a locally managed initiative the market received its registration in 1994. Today there are almost 400 different types of shops at Hazaribag. In the general market we find vegetables, fish, meat, rice, grocery items, stationery items and everyday commodities for sale. There is also, a readymade garments and tailoring area plus fruit shops, restaurants, tea-stalls and so on found in the Bazaar. This bazaar starts at 7:00 AM and closes at 11:00 PM everyday. There is no holiday for this bazaar.
The head offices of all leather companies of Bangladesh are located at Hazaribag and consequently it is quite a rich area. However, it’s a living place for workers and officials of the leading factories, which means there are a number of slums and slum-like residential areas in Hazaribag Baribath.