Two years after the Naif Souq was burnt down in a fire, it was reopened on Sunday morning.
All the old traders whose shops were burnt in the fire have been allotted new facilities.
For the first time, traders are getting centrally air-conditioned shops with all amenities and parking. Other facilities include elevators, lifts, WiFi and kiosks.
Traders are expecting a fresh start, especially since the Holy Month of Ramadan is fast approaching.
Mustafa Kolykkandy, who has a 25-year old business operating from the Naif Souq, said he was glad to return to the old place.
“The municipality shifted us to a temporary souq on Nakheel street after my shop was burnt down in 2007. I lost goods worth Dh120,000 in the fire then,” said Kolykkandy.
About 183 shops were completely destroyed then. Dubai Municipality paid 40 per cent compensation to all the shop owners following the accident.
For Pakistani vendor Kudratullah, there are high expectations from the new place. “We were all waiting patiently on the expectation that business will be alright once the new market is opened,” he said.
Siddique PMC, who has 10 shops in the new facility, said he had lost about Dh1.5 million in the fire that completely destroyed the Naif Souq.
Since the fire broke out in the middle of the night, no human casualties were reported.
“It is a memorable day for us. I remember coming here with my father 35 years ago. Those days, it was called the Oont Bazaar (camel market).”
Before Sheikh Rashid allotted the land for the traders, camels used to be tied at this location. “Initially, we only had a small wooden table. A few years later, a tent was built, and we used to operate our shops from the tent. Back then, we never had electricity and used to operate with a lantern, which was fuelled by kerosene.”
Siddique’s father, who traded in toys, glass and kitchen utensils, also used to repair the lanterns for the 150-odd traders operating from the facility.
Several years later, electricity was introduced and the traders started having fans within the shops.
“Until two years ago, when the fire took place, we continued to operate with fans without air-conditioning. Today, the new facility has central air-conditioning and parking space for 99 cars,” said Siddique.
However, the rents have been increased for the new facilities. Traders who used to pay Dh6,000 per year two years ago, are being charged between Dh17,000 and Dh30,000 depending on the size of the shop. The new shops were allotted following a draw.
(With inputs from Rehna KC)
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