Leaflets are being distributed during Friday congregations at different mosques in city's Dhanmondi area urging the residents to resist rapid commercialisation of the area and preserve its residential status.

Dhanmondi Residential Committee" as its publisher without mentioning any name or address.

“If all of us want to keep Dhanmondi residential, don’t you think that time is running out on you?" asks the leaflet.

The unique appeal comes in the backdrop of rapid commercialisation of the residential area. Sprouting shops, clinics, hospitals, medical diagnostic centres, schools, private colleges and universities, restaurants. car showrooms, community centres, offices and even manufacturing units have badly undermined the residential status of the neighbourhood.

During peak hours the narrow streets of Dhanmondi get choked with traffic and valuable working hours are wasted. The population of the area is also rising at an alarming rate as most of the large plots are being turned into multi-storey apartment blocks without giving any consideration to the surrounding nature and existing civic amenities.

"Imagine what Dhanmondi will look like if another half a dozen such shops, offices, schools and other business houses are established on each road over the next few months." the leaflet savs.