The low hanging fruit

Running as it does under strict government controls, state-owned Bangladesh Television isn't known for particularly investigative reporting. A couple of days ago they ventured from the limbo by bringing forward an irritating factor about unplanned construction that was defying any images conjured up of Dhaka as a planned city by the planners.

In the wake of the tragic Holey Artisan mayhem a couple of years ago. some 18,000 unauthorised buildings, structures and construction were identified housing anything from offices, restaurants, hospitals to educational institutions in Banani, Gulshan and Baridhara. Initially the government was unmoved in ordering all to be relocated within a timeframe.

Then (what's unusual!) we were told that those who had compelling reasons not to relocate would have to pay fines in terms of commercial usage of what is essentially residential area earmarked plush property. Some of the relocation took place, most remain and not even parliament, as far as memory serves, was ever informed how much fines had been collected and, indeed, where these were utilised.

Whether or not the fines were realised, it cannot be that the agencies involved in forking out permission for both building and presence of such establishments have not been taken to task. If, according to rumours, they are unable to act due to 'powerful' forces at work, then there's little point in all the tamasha. The malady has spread far and beyond the main roads and bylanes. Roads in already impassable states are being allowed to be encountered by shops and eateries. Once in a while there will be the good natured game of 'shock and awe' with city corporation bulldozers and men-at-work hammering down such establishments. There's a quiet period of limbo and then it's all built up again. The recent example along the Zakir Hossain Road, Lalmatia is a case in example. Shops were razed and now the difference is barely noticeable

The best plans are scuppered by small encroachment that lead to a magnified problem and these 'unauthorised' set-ups are as guilty as those who advance inches, then feet and finally yards to chip away at the banks of the city lakes. Thankfully late Mayor Annisul Haque was quick to begin the Dhaka lake restoration projects that hopefully will emerge at some point in time.

Prior to all of this, twice during two caretaker governments we had seen mobile courts smashing construction that shouldn't have been allowed to be set up. There was plenty of media fanfare but little in terms of output. Whoever was feeling derogatory coining the adage 'an empty vessel sounds much' wasn't jesting.

(The writer may be reached at [email protected])