Proper procedures to enlist risky buildings suggested

The government should follow proper procedures to make lists of risky buildings across the country, said Urban Study Group (USG) Chief Executive Officer Taimur Islam yesterday.
He was speaking at a press briefing on risky buildings and restoration of heritage at the Jatiya Press Club in the capital.
Authorities of local municipalities in some parts of the country have begun to make lists of risky buildings after the recent collapse of Rana Plaza in Savar, he said.
Some historically important buildings might be included in the lists as the lists are being made hurriedly, he added.
There might have been lack of coordination and consultation between the government authorities and experts in making the lists, Taimur said.
Whenever a building collapses, concerns rise about the poor condition of the historic sites in Old Dhaka, but the authorities take little initiative to restore the sites.
In 2009, a government expert body prepared a list of 94 buildings and four areas mentioning those as historically important, the USG official said.
But, four of the listed buildings have so far been demolished mentioning those as risky, he said.
Referring to the recent demolition of such a listed heritage building at Shankhari Bazar in the capital, he said the government has taken little initiative to preserve and restore those buildings.