The illegal portions of 3,382 under-construction buildings in Dhaka, which have deviated from the designs approved by the Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (Rajuk), will be demolished after proper identification, said its Chairman Md Riazul Islam on Monday, reports UNB.
"Orders have been issued to halt construction of these illegal buildings, and their non-compliant portions will be demolished in phases. In the first phase, Rajuk will take different actions, including disconnecting utility connections, filing of criminal cases, cancellation of designs, and sealing of those buildings, if necessary," he said.
The Rajuk chairman revealed the information while speaking at a dialogue titled 'Problematic City Dhaka: Which Way to Solutions?', organised by the Urban Development Journalists Forum of Bangladesh (UDJFB) at the Dhaka Reporters' Unity.
"We have identified 3,382 under-construction buildings in Rajuk areas that have violated regulations. We will demolish the portions that deviate from the approved designs. Whether through demolition or other means, we will bring these buildings into compliance. We are also conducting regular mobile court operations."
Mentioning the importance of establishing a unified urban governance system, the Rajuk chairman said, "If Dhaka is not brought under one umbrella, no matter how much planning is done, it will not work. The decisions regarding all the services in the city must come from one place. There is no problem whether there is a city government or a mayor, who has the power (to do it)."
Noting that, it is not possible to do all the work together, Riazul said, "We are ensuring that there will be no violation in the under-construction buildings. We have no plan to allocate new plots. We will recover the encroached plots and arrange housing for the low- and middle-class people."
Mohammad Fazle Reza Sumon, former president of the Bangladesh Institute of Planners (BIP), was present in the programme as the special guest.
He said, "We have been plagued by problems to make Dhaka more important. Bureaucratic complexities are responsible for Dhaka's current state."
"According to the Detailed Area Plan (DAP), Dhaka will be made livable for 23.5 million people. In this case, zone-based planning has been mentioned. It is possible to restore Dhaka's livability, if good governance and accountability can be ensured," he added.
Prof Ahmad Kamruzzaman, Chairman of the Center for Atmospheric Pollution Studies (CAPS), said, "Dhaka was meant to be a city of nature, compassion and good management. But it is now plagued by air pollution, noise pollution, traffic congestion, and lead pollution."
Dhaka has become a city of heat. Half of Dhaka's population cannot sleep due to toxic smoke from burning waste in Aminbazar and Matuail areas, while 80 per cent noise pollution is caused by vehicles, he noted.
"It is impossible to make a plan for 25 million people. If we cannot solve these problems, Dhaka will remain at the bottom of livability indices," he added.
During the event, a magazine named 'Dhakaai' was unveiled. Besides, a book, edited by UDJFB adviser Helimul Alam Biplob, with the title 'Dhaka's Canals on Their Dying Breath: An In-Depth Look at How the Capital's Waterways Are Being Choked' was also unveiled.
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