RHD notice ignored, construction continues in Nilphamari
A structure is allegedly being constructed along the edge of a highway in the busy Butter More area of Nilphamari town without approval from the Roads and Highways Department (RHD) and the municipality.
Although the RHD issued a written notice ordering the concerned person to stop the construction, the work is allegedly continuing in defiance of the notice.
The construction has also raised concerns that the fire safety arrangements of the adjacent building could be obstructed.
According to a notice signed by the Sub-Divisional Engineer of the Nilphamari Road Sub-Division Mohammed Jewel Rana, construction is underway close to the edge of the highway at Butter More, on the town section of the Nilphamari-Domar (Z) Road under the Nilphamari Road Division.
The notice stated that the construction could make the movement of vehicles and pedestrians on the road hazardous.
The notice further stated that, in accordance with a High Court directive and the Right of Way (ROW) provisions of the Highways Act, no structure can be constructed within 10 metres of the highway’s ROW. The concerned person was therefore specifically requested not to construct any structure within the stipulated area.
Nilphamari Road Division Executive Engineer Md. Sultan Mahmud said, “I issued a letter asking them to stop the construction work.
The owner of the market has not given any response to my letter.”
However, responding to the allegations, Hayat Heritage owner Dr. Abul Qayyum Mohammad Khodar Doya said, “I am constructing the structure on my own land. I have not obtained any approval from the municipality.”
Nilphamari Municipality Executive Engineer Md. Tariq Reza said, “A plan and design have been prepared for constructing the structure on Hayat Heritage’s own land. However, no approval has been obtained from us.”
Nilphamari Municipality Administrator and DDLG Md. Saidul Islam said, “I have instructed the municipal engineer to stop the construction of the illegal structure at Hayat Heritage.”
Local residents said Butter More is one of the busiest areas in Nilphamari town. Constructing an unauthorised structure beside the highway could obstruct the movement of vehicles and pedestrians.
It could also increase the risk of accidents and potentially hamper the fire safety arrangements of nearby buildings.
As construction reportedly continues despite the written prohibition issued by the RHD, questions have arisen among local residents. They have demanded that the highway land, ROW boundaries and municipal construction regulations be properly verified and that necessary legal action be taken.
