Most buildings in capital Dhaka are constructed defying proper approval and design resulting in an increasing risk of collapse and interruption of urban planning.
According to a study of Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (Rajuk), 66 per cent of the buildings are constructed defying code. However, no effective move had been taken in last 2 years.
Most buildings defied code
The Rajuk has conducted a survey on 3 storied buildings and above. It found, out of 204,106 establishments 134,625 were built illegally.
The survey, which was conducted for 7 months in 2018, has found 66.11 per cent buildings made unlawfully.
Another study of Detailed Area Plan (DAP) says, as many as in Dhaka city there are 16,930 high-rise establishments which are 7 storied and above.
According to law, No Objection Certificate (NOC) from fire service is a must for constructing such establishments.
But fire services accounts showed, only 5 thousand 24 buildings got the NOC from 2000-2018.
In other words, 34 per cent of the establishments have no approval of fire service department.
Assurance of speedy move
The Mogbazar explosion that occurred on Sunday sparked outcry of building security in Dhaka city.
Rajuk has formed a 6-member committee already. It also called a meeting of urban planners straightaway.
“Rajuk had launched a drive after the survey. However, the pandemic slowed down the drive. Tightened moves will be taken soon in line with the unsafe building list,” Rajuk Chairman ABM Amin Ullah Nuri told The Report.
“Adjacent establishments of the defective buildings are also in risk. Hence, we will move speedily,” Amin Ullah said.
“Structures across Dhaka city need to be renovated. We called a meeting of the urban planners this week. We will take decision based on their opinion and suggestion,” added he.
Urge made to identify in cluster
Talking to The Report architect Iqbal Habib said, “There is no benefit to identify risky establishment across the Dhaka city. Priority needs to be fixed to kick off the process at the mostly crowded public places like market, shopping mall, offices, and commercial offices. Fire safety and security of those buildings should come foremost.”
161 out of 40,000 have safety certificate
In 2008, provision of Occupancy Certificate was passed revising the existing construction law. According to the new act, a probe body comprised of Rajuk officials and experts must visit every building after construction to check whether the code is abided by prior to the approval of safety certificate and connection of gas and electricity supply.
Iqbal Habib says, about 40,000 structures have been made in Dhaka city since 2008 while only 161 were granted occupancy certificate.
He thinks, this is a negligence of Rajuk. “When People die Rajuk says, this building was unauthorized. Who is responsible to watch unlawful building,” Habib asked.
He said, the Rajuk authority must be brought to justice for their inaction.
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