‘No scope for making buildings sans designs’
Housing and Public Works Minister Zakaria Taher has remarked that existing laws, regulations, and policies regarding building construction in the country have not been properly implemented over the past 17 years.
He stated that these laws will be strictly enforced from now on, and there will no longer be any scope for constructing buildings or housing projects in violation of the law.
He made these remarks on Sunday (August 23) during an exchange meeting with members of the Real Estate and Housing Association of Bangladesh (REHAB) and the Bangladesh Land Developers Association, held at the conference room of the Ministry of Housing and Public Works at the Secretariat.
The minister stated that although sewage treatment plants (STPs) and soak wells were included in the approved building designs, many developer companies failed to construct them. Measures will be taken to ensure that no one constructs buildings deviating from the approved designs in the future.
He said, “Members of REHAB and the Bangladesh Land Developers Association must remain vigilant to ensure that no buildings or housing projects are constructed in violation of the law.”
Zakaria Taher stated that RAJUK is bringing the entire process of land-use clearance and design approval under 100% digitalization. Developer firms operating outside the capital will be brought under specific guidelines through amendments to the National Housing Authority’s regulations.
At an exchange-of-views meeting, State Minister for Housing and Public Works Ahmed Sohel Manjur urged developers to give serious consideration to the hardships faced by customers.
He said, “Many people have not received the flats or apartments they desired, despite having made payments years ago. Others, unable to continue installment payments as per the agreement for various reasons, have not received refunds of their deposited money for three to four years. Their situation needs to be considered from a humanitarian perspective.”
At the meeting, leaders from REHAB and the Bangladesh Land Developers Association reiterated their firm stance on adhering to laws and regulations regarding building construction and housing development.
They also presented their views on the Detailed Area Plan (DAP) for Dhaka Metropolitan Area and the Dhaka Metropolitan Building Construction Rules.
RAJUK Chairman Engineer Md. Riazul Islam, Additional Secretary Md. Abdul Matin, and other relevant officials were present at the meeting, alongside leaders from REHAB and the Bangladesh Land Developers Association.
