New building code to be enforced in few months
The regulation is aimed at making the fast growing capital greener and comfortably liveable mega-city in future.
They were speaking at a press conference organised by Rehab, Bangladesh Institute of Planners (BIP), Institute of Architectures, Bangladesh (IAB), Institute of Engineers' Bangladesh (IEB) and Bangladesh Paribesh Andolon (Bapa) at the National Press Club in the city yesterday.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel. The newly formulated regulation will be enforced in the capital in few months and other parts of the country will come under the regulation in phases.
Under the rule, any new establishment will require prior approval of Rajuk and its construction will be supervised at every stage.
To protect misuse of residential areas for commercial or manufacturing purposes, the owners are to obtain 'occupancy certificate' from Rajuk after completion of construction and get it renewed every five years.
The regulation will also save time required for getting construction approval from one and half years to only one month as Rajuk will soon launch 'one window service cell' comprising 17 different services such as electricity, water, sewerage, civil aviation etc.
A high powered Citizens' Committee comprising professionals of Rehab, IEB, IAB, BIP, Rajuk authorities and Secretary of Housing and Public Works Ministry was formed to monitor enforcement of new construction code.
General Secretary of IAB Md Mahbubur Rahman said the regulation provides for 'Floor Area Ratio' that will spare more space for the city-dwellers.
Regarding ill condition of the existing buildings, he said though these were built in compliance with the older law, their renovation or extension would require compliance with the new rules.
Member Secretary of Bapa Iqbal Habib said, 'Security of the construction workers did not get due importance in the regulation'.
The power and functions of the Citizens' Committee is also vague in the regulation, he added.
Architects, engineers, environmentalists and leaders of different NGOs and government officials were also present in the conference.