Wait for the tall building to fall apart

Clockwise from left: The BGMEA building, the Midway fuel station during demolition and the spot after it was bulldozed.

Although the caretaker government is removing different kinds of makeshift and permanent structures from Hatirjheel-Begunbari project area one after another, there has been no decision on the 15-storey BGMEA building.
The authorities on December 20 last removed a filling station, a portion of a multi-storey private building and some makeshift slum structures.
Removal of the BGMEA building is a matter lying with the top-level authorities, said Md Shah Alam, chief engineer of Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (Rajuk).
The commercial high-rise built by Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) remains in the middle of Begunbari canal. According sources, the issue is still being discussed at the top level of the government.
Professor Mujibur Rahman of Buet, leader of the technical expert team for the project, said, “It has been the main obstacle in the water-flowing channel of the project. We too are concerned about it, but we have no authority to take a decision on it.”
Rajuk, meanwhile, knocked down Midway filling station from Hatirjheel-Begunbari integrated development project site. According to the documents produced by owners of the station, Rajuk carried out the drive despite a court injunction.
Owners of the fuel station said they obtained a rule issued by a High Court bench on December 4, 2008. But Rajuk magistrate Rokon-Ud-Doula said, “The owner of the fuel station did not produce any document to me, either officially or informally, regarding any such stay order. They mentioned it just verbally.”
However, documents show they submitted a copy of the court order to the office of Rajuk secretary on December 12, 2008.
The communications ministry at a meeting on May 28, 2008 decided to hand over three plots on Bangladesh Railway's land to Rajuk, cancelling allotment for filling stations including Midway in the project area.
The following day, Bangladesh Railway took steps for cancellation of the plot allotment.
As per terms in the contract with the owner of Midway, railway authorities are required to serve a notice six months prior to cancellation, said Saad Rahim Chowdhury, proprietor of the station. According to available records, railway in a letter dated June 1, 2008 informed the owner of Midway that the allotment was cancelled.
Rajuk Chief Engineer Md Shah Alam said that Rajuk served notice on the owner of Midway as per the Building Construction Act asking for removal of the set-ups but the owner did not comply with the directive.
The BNP government during its tenure leased out eight large plots in the city's Begunbari canal including four for CNG (compressed natural gas) filling stations, not only in violation of the city's master plan and wetland conservation act but also bending Bangladesh Railway's land management rules of 2006, said official sources.
According to Rajuk authorities, BGMEA had built the structure before obtaining approval of the construction plan.