REHAB threatens tougher action

The country's realtors have threatened tougher action unless the national building code is amended within 15 days.

Office-bearers of the Real Estate and Housing Association of Bangladesh (REHAB) have also announced to start constructing buildings following the Dhaka Building Construction Rules 2008 and Bangladesh National Building Code 2020 from now on.

They came up with the decision at the REHAB board meeting held on Monday, a statement said.

The REHAB leaders expressed their anger over the delay in revising the Detailed Area Plan and the existing construction rules. They said several meetings were held with various stakeholders at different levels, including the chairman of Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (RAJUK), to revise the existing rules and the building code.

After the RAJUK chairman sought a proposal from REHAB within 10 working days, the latter sent a detailed one to amend the rules within seven days. However, no effective measures had been taken in this regard so far. As a result, the entire housing sector had come to a standstill as landowners were not willing to give land for development due to the discriminatory new rules, according to the statement.

As a consequence, the supply of new flats was on the wane while prices were skyrocketing, which culminated in faded dreams of owning accommodations for many, the REHAB leaders added.

REHAB President Md Wahiduzzaman said all stakeholders, including landowners and developers, were very annoyed as the existing construction rules had not been amended despite frequent demands.

Unless a realistic decision was made, it could trigger a severe housing crisis in future as Bangladesh was a land-scarce country with a burden of high population, he added.

REHAB leaders and directors were present in the meeting.

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