Nod of city corporations must to build buildings

Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) Mayor Atiqul Islam yesterday said that city corporations should have a say in approving building constructions in Dhaka.

"Open spaces and trees are being destroyed for constructing one building after another in the city... Now, the time has come to seek city corporation's approval before constructing a building," he said.

"Destruction of greeneries and open spaces will not be allowed. We have to think about future generations," he added.

He said this at a programme in the capital arranged by World Vision Bangladesh, Center for Urban Studies, UN-Habitat and DNCC.

The mayor also recommended demolishing all buildings that were build without approval from the authorities concerned.

Speaking as chief guest, LGRD Minister Md Tajul Islam said, "People's income should be taken into account in determining the price of water, gas, electricity and other utility services."

Recommending zone-based pricing of utility services, he said, "The people living in Jatrabari or Old Dhaka do not get the quality of civic facilities residents of areas like Gulshan, Baridhara and Banani get."

 "Everyone has to work together to build a liveable Dhaka. Lower class, middle class and upper class people live in Dhaka, so the city should be developed keeping everyone's interests in mind," he added.

Selim Reza, chief executive officer of DNCC, delivered a welcome speech on the occasion, while Maqsood Hashem, chief planner of DNCC, presented the keynote speech.

Among others, Prof Nazrul Islam, chairperson of Center of Urban Studies; Project Manager of United Nations Development Bangladesh, and other dignitaries were present on the occasion.