Detailed Area Plan: No more unplanned buildings in Dhaka

LGRD Minister and convener of Dhaka's Detailed Area Plan (DAP) cabinet committee Tajul Islam yesterday said no one will be allowed to construct buildings illegally and in an unplanned way.

The minister came up with the statement while talking to reporters after the first meeting of the newly-formed cabinet committee for review of DAP – and 15th overall -- at the ministry of housing and public works.

Tajul Islam said new buildings will have to be constructed in Dhaka considering issues including keeping the capital a livable city, civic amenities, planned infrastructure and geological and environmental issues.

Replying to a query, the local government minister said a sub-committee would be formed with all the institutions including the city corporations.

Earlier at the meeting, Tajul Islam said an action plan will be formulated to make Dhaka a livable, humane and sustainable city. Mentioning the challenges of implementing the action plan, he said it was possible to present a modern city if all the members of the newly-formed committee and concerned persons work united and discharge their duties with neutrality, courage, honesty and dedication.

The minister said the committee would work to build a livable and scenic city keeping in view other important issues including residential, commercial, hospital, school-college, sports ground, utility service, communication system and shopping mall according to a proper plan.

He also said Dhaka and other major cities of the country have not been urbanised in a planned way, preserving different facilities for its residents.

At the meeting, it was decided to extend for two months the time allotted for taking stakeholders' opinion onheight of buildings in the city, taking into account the Covid-19 crisis and other issues.

Besides, it was also decided to hold a meeting of the committee every month.

Minister for environment, forests and climate change Md Shahab Uddin, land minister Saifuzzaman Chowdhury, state minister for housing and public works Sharif Ahmed, state minister for shipping Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury and senior secretaries, secretaries of various ministries and concerned officials were present at the meeting.

The government on October 25 reconstituted the cabinet committee to review and finalise the DAP prepared by Rajuk.