"Eighteen old DCC markets have been preliminarily identified as potential spots and tenders have been floated seeking proposals for the multistoried structures from local construction firms," said the executive engineer of DCC's Bazaar Circle.

The construction would be completed on long term settlement basis. Most of the new shopping centres will be 12 to 24 storied structured ones based on the location and the feasibility report of the markets. From basement to fifth floor the ownership will be totally DCC's. From fifth floor onwards construction firms would get lease of floors for 99 years.

According to the conditions, the DCC won't have to pay for construction costs as the firms will invest in everything and will realise the expenditure through renting and advance payment for the shops.

DCC will be responsible for the management and maintenance of the markets and will get a share of the profit from the construction firms.

The present shop owners have also responded positively to the reconstruction plan.

"We have come to an understanding with the shop owners that they would be rehabilitated after the reconstruction and based on that consensus we selected the markets," said the executive engineer.

The multistoried markets will have modern facilities like escalators, elevators, 24-hour generators, kids corner etc. The construction period has been estimated at two to two and a half years.

"We will sign a contractual agreement with all the shop owners before going for the construction," said the executive engineer.

The proposed markets to go for reconstruction are: Mohakhali Community Complex, Gulistan Trade centre, Karwan Bazar Parking cum Commercial Complex, Poribagh DCC market, Polashi Market cum Commercial Bhaban, Buriganga Market cum Commercial Bhaban at Sadarghat, Townhall Square of Mirpur-10, Khilgaon Railway Market, Gulshan Centre Point at Gulshan-2 and Gulshan-2 Complex, Hajrat Shah Ali Market at Mirpur, Rayerbazar, City Trade Centre at Gulshan-1 and Mohammadpur Townhall Market.

DCC will also increase some markets up to the 10th floor. These markets are ABC Block of Kaptanbazar Complex, Banani Shopping Complex and ABC Block of Fulbaria City Super Market-2.

Mohakhali Community Complex, Mirpur Hajrat Shah Ali Market, Khilgaon Railway Market would be constrcted up to 10 storied; Karwanbazar Parking cum Commercial Complex and Buriganga Market cum Commercial Bhaban at Sadarghat will be 15 storied markets; Banani Shopping Complex will be 16 storied; Paribag DCC market, Palashi Market cum Commercial Bhaban, Townhall square of Mirpur-10 will be 18 storied; Gulshan-2 Complex and Mohammadpur Townhall market will be 20 storied; City Trade Centre at Gulshan-1 and Gulshan Centre Point at Gulshan-2 will be 24 storied; Gulistan Trade Centre will be 12 storied with two basement floors.