Legalise illegal high-rises, but with fines
We asked Rajuk to legalise those [illegal] buildings. Rajuk can impose a specific amount of fine on the owners per square foot.
The parliamentary standing committee on Housing and Public Works Ministry yesterday asked Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha to legalise the high-rise buildings that were constructed unlawfully and without monitoring.
The committee instructed Rajuk to examine if the foundations and designs of such buildings are in alignment with their height and legalise them after imposing a fine.
Many owners have raised the height of their buildings in the capital unlawfully. However, the authorities are unable to demolish these structures as people are already residing there.
Meanwhile, the people residing in those units have to live in uncertainty, said Mosharraf Hossain, an Awami League MP and chief of the parliamentary watchdog. "This is why we asked Rajuk to legalise those buildings. Rajuk can impose a specific amount of fine on the owners per square foot," he said.
According to meeting sources, the engineers of such structures will be subjected to specific financial penalties as well.
The meeting also discussed the progress and future of ongoing projects under public works department; Rajuk; National Housing Authority; Chattogram, Cox's Bazar, Khulna, and Gazipur development authorities; Housing and Building Research Institute, and directorates of urban development and architecture.
The overall activities of the Directorate of Government Accommodation were also discussed in the meeting.
The committee recommended taking necessary actions to hand over excavated canals to the Chattogram City Corporation for maintenance under the project, "Re-excavation, expansion, renovation and development of canals for waterlogging in Chattogram city".
Committee members Narayan Chandra Chanda, Bazlul Haque Haroon, Monowar Hossain Chowdhury, Anwarul Ashraf Khan, Syeda Zohora Alauddin and Farida Khanam attended the meeting.
Kazi Wasi Uddin, secretary of housing and public works ministry, heads of various organisations under the ministry and senior parliament officials were also present.
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