1,100 buildings encroach upon Dhaka roads
Over 1,100 buildings in Kalyanpur and Paikpara in the capital's Mirpur were built encroaching upon roads in violation of the city's master plan, but the Rajdhani Unnayan Karipakkha (Rajuk), which is authorised to monitor irregularities in building construction, is overlooking the issue.
As a result, the local road network has shrunk by up to eight feet, from 20 feet to around 12 or 14 feet at many spots, creating serious traffic jams every day.
Locals fear that if the road is not widened, rescue operations during emergencies like fire or earthquake will be seriously hampered because fire fighters will not be able to reach the spot through the narrow roads.
Considering the gravity of the situation, Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) has kept the issue on its agenda at the 2nd inter-organisational meeting with Rajuk and others, to be held today.
During the 1st inter-departmental meeting on August 20 by DNCC, it was decided that Rajuk would play a key role in evicting illegal occupants and widening the access roads of Paikpara and Kalyanpur to 20 feet in line with Dhaka's master plan.
But there has been no action to date.
Mahbubur Rahman Nayan, owner of one of the buildings that occupied the road in Dakkhin Paikpara, claimed that he had vacated some space for the road.
But in reality, the owner has built ramps on the “vacated space” for two shops situated at the ground floor of the building.
When asked, Nayan said, “We'll remove them [ramps] if the authority asks. But there are other houses which should leave their front space too.”
Near Battala, another building is being constructed without leaving any space, though its neighbouring building was constructed following rules.
“Such discrepancies make law abiders frustrated,” said the owner of a flat of the neighbouring building.
None of the under-constructed building owners were available for comments.
To give a reminder to the authority, Councillor of DNCC's ward no-11 Dewan Abdul Mannan sent 19 letters, recommended by Mayor Annisul Huq, to Rajuk for taking necessary action against 1,123 houses responsible for shrinkage of the roads.
Rajuk received these letters on December 1.
Visiting the area on December 29, the correspondent did not see any sign of action. All 19 letters have similar content except for the names of the roads and areas.
In one of the letters, the councillor said according to the master plan of Rajuk the width of the road at the intersection of SS Clinic and Battala Shariatpur Tower was 20 feet but the owners had occupied the road constructing temporary establishments.
As a result, the width of the road has been reduced to 12-14 feet, it said, adding that under the circumstances, it was very difficult for people and vehicles to use the road.
“Even if a natural disaster like earthquake takes place, it will not be possible to rescue victims, which will eventually increase the death toll and financial loss,” read the letter.
Requesting Rajuk to take action, the signatory of the letter, Mannan, mentioned the holding numbers of the buildings that have narrowed the roads.
According to the Detailed Area Plan (DAP), since most of the major road networks in the area will be free from non-motorised transport (NMT), these roads should be widened to at least 20 feet, if not 24 feet, to facilitate the movement of NMTs, thereby making the movement of residents easier.
Contacted, Rajuk inspector of the area Mizanur Rahman said they could not conduct drives because of manpower crisis and in want of law enforcers.
Asked why Rajuk did not stop the newly constructed and under-construction buildings that have flouted DAP at the initial stage, he said, “We do.”
Wishing anonymity, a house owner alleged that Rajuk officials allowed owners to erect buildings flouting rules in exchange for “bribes”. Refuting the allegation, Mizanur said, “If anyone wanted money, I'll suggest locals catch them. In fact, the owners have brought the allegations to hide their crime.”
“I won't deny that they [inspectors] have some weakness but we're trying to strengthen the monitoring system,” said Rajuk Chairman M Bazlul Karim Chaudhury. “We'll take action if we get specific allegations,” he added.
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