Dushanbe’s Sakhovat bazaar that was shut down for noncompliance with fire safety requirements has reopened.

Merchants running shops at the Sakhovat bazaar say it reopened in the afternoon of November 3.  “Fire inspectors came and opened the bazaar,” the merchants said.       

They believe that the bazaar was reopened after publication of an article on that subject in media outlets

The Sakhovat bazaar was closed down in the evening of November 1.  Fire inspectors reportedly came to the bazaar at around 8:00 pm and sealed it.  

One of Dushanbe officials, who wanted to remain unnamed, said the bazaar had been closed down for noncompliance with fire safety requirements.

Vendors running shops at the Sakhovat bazaar, however, say they have observed fire safety requirements and the market has frequently been inspected for compliance with fire safety requirements.  

Located in the southern part of Dushanbe, the Sakhovat bazaar is the largest food market in the city.

Meanwhile, Dushanbe’s Shohmansour bazaar, which was also closed down on October 26 for alleged noncompliance with fire safety requirements was reopened three days later. 

Mashrab Qarayev the deputy director of the Shohmansour bazaar, noted on October 26 that the bazaar has been closed down for an uncertain period – until shortcomings in the bazaar’s fire safety system are removed and inflammable panels of the shops are replaced.

“Rumors about relocation of vendors to the Poytakht-80 trading center are absolutely unfounded,” Qarayev added.

Vendors, however, said that the fire department had just implemented the city administration’s instruction on promotion of the Poytakht-80 trading center.