Two more buildings at risk of subsidence

Rajshahi Development Authority yesterday declared two more buildings next to a construction site risky, a day after a building beside it subsided due to the unplanned and unapproved work.

The two five-storey buildings in the city's Chandipur area, which housed a branch of Janata Bank and households on the site's north side, are also at risk of subsidence, said Abul Kalam Azad, authorised officer of RDA.

A team of RDA, led by Azad, visited the spot in the morning and found out that the construction work of the multistorey building was underway without RDA approval and a proper plan.

In addition, the RDA official said, the construction firm did not seek approval from Fire Service and Civil Defence or ensure safety measures.

“Our responsibility was to secure the neighbouring buildings and we took necessary steps in this regard,” he added.

He said they stopped the work at the site and asked the construction firm to fill up the pit they dug within seven days. “They have already begun filling the site with sand,” he said.

Mentionable, a group of 34 physicians are erecting the 24-storey building on around 13 kathas of land. They gave the contract to Osman Ali Constructions, whose workers dug up the around 30-foot deep pit, resulting in subsidence of a six-storey building beside it on Tuesday.