The city development authority has taken the move as commercial establishments like private offices, shops, restaurants, private universities, hospitals, clinics, diagnostic centres, shopping malls, factories and other non-residential set-ups have mushroomed in the areas over the years occupying residential buildings.

Residents of Dhanmondi, Gulshan and Banani residential areas say the commercial set-ups have destroyed the very residential character of these areas causing traffic congestion and creating noise pollution.

"We have served the notices giving a two-month deadline to vacate unauthorised commercial uses of residential buildings, barring those on the main roads," said KAM Haroon, chairman of Rajuk. Interestingly, Rajuk itself allowed commercial and non-residential use of residential buildings in these residential areas.

"The notice has been served to four categories of unauthorised non-residential and commercial usages of residential buildings. These are restaurants, universities, hospitals and garment factories," said the chairman.

He said that Rajuk authorities have already taken action against six building inspectors for negligence to duty, which led to such deplorable state of the residential areas.

A Gulshan resident Shirin Shila, who filed a case against raising height limit and commercialisation along Gulshan Avenue, said that the Rajuk authorities must mean their move against unauthorised non-residential uses of residential buildings. They must not exploit the innocent people manipulating the notice.

The case was filed challenging a government order that allowed commercialisation of the residential buildings and high-rise beyond the six-storey ceiling.

"It is regrettable that Rajuk often harasses people over issuing permission for non-residential use of residential buildings referring to the case I filed," she said. "Rajuk has to come up with a clear definition of non-residential and commercial uses of buildings."

Leaders of Dhanmondi Paribesh Unnayan Jote at a press conference yesterday demanded freeing Dhanmondi residential area from widespread commercialisation through relocation of educational institutions, hospitals and clinics.

They said the 473-acre Dhanmondi area was absolutely residential in 1952. A total of 1,083 plots were allotted only for residential use, but in the face of growing population, Dhanmondi was declared a mixed-use zone in 1995.

The government declared Mirpur Road, Satmasjid Road, Dhanmondi Road no-27 and 2 as commercial areas through various administrative orders during 1985-96.

According to the Jote's survey in February last, there are 200 campuses of private English medium schools, colleges and universities in the area including 96 of schools, 35 of colleges and 45 of universities. Besides, there are 24 coaching centres, 12 restaurants, 26 shopping malls, 24 hospitals, 56 clinics and 32 diagnostic centres.

Educational institutions set up indiscriminately are the principle reason behind traffic congestion in the residential area, said Jote's Convener Sultana Alam.

It is true that the residents themselves are responsible for such degradation of the area as they have rented out residential buildings for non-residential use, Sultana said.

Inspector of Schools of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education Board Dhaka Ataur Rahman Khan said, "So far as I know, the government is going to take decision on relocation of the excessive schools from residential areas."