Tajuddin's house declared 'risky'
The structure, built in 1960, developed cracks after a developer made a 17-foot deep excavation on the next plot for construction of a commercial building without taking proper safety measures.
The developer, Amin Mohammed Foundation Ltd., also ignored written and verbal warnings about a possible accident from neighbours and Tanjim Ahmed MP, son of the late prime minister.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel. Tajuddin Ahmed was the first prime minister of Bangladesh. His leadership during the War of Liberation was instrumental in achieving independence in nine months.
Rajuk inspector Nazmul Haque yesterday inspected the four-storey building on Plot No.- 751 at Satmasjid Road and the excavation site of Amin Mohammad Foundation on Plot No.-752. He said Rajuk would take legal action against the developer.
"It is quite clear that the developer has been neglectful of the safety of adjacent structures while excavating such a big area," Nazmul said.
At around 1:00pm yesterday, about 50 labourers were seen dumping hundreds of sand bags against the wall of Tajuddin's house on the southern edge in a bid to prevent it from caving in. A part of the building on the ground floor slightly caved in two days ago. The workers were also pressing long steel l-beams against the pilings of the excavated ditch on the western side of the plot fearing that the structure there might also cave in.
Tanjim Ahmed said he had evacuated his family from the house and they are now living with relatives. He also said the house represents the memories of his slain father and thus the family has always rejected offers to develop the house into a modern shopping centre.
"My mother is now emotionally broken as we are all worried about the safety of the building. We shall keep this historic house for ever, we want to keep the souvenir of our father intact," Ahmed said.
He showed a letter dated March 16, which he personally wrote to the managing director of Amin Mohammed Foundation, informing him of sudden appearance of a large crack in his building stretching from east to west.
"But they did not take any action until the soil slide started to occur," he said.
Ashrafuddin Ahmed, director (construction) of Amin Mohammed Foundation, said the emergency situation occurred due to rain. "We are trying our best to protect the adjacent buildings," he said.
He, however, kept mum when asked why they had not foreseen rain while taking up such a big construction work.
Neighbours said that few months ago, the developer suggested to Tajuddin's family that they hand over their plot for development.