Another death trap

IT is disquieting to see that an illegal two-storied tin-house, built on a marshland inside the capital, caved in causing the death of 12 of its dwellers and injuries to many. This tragic incident lays bare the fact the vulnerable housing arrangements for the urban poor and sheer apathy of the Rajdhani Unnayan Kartipakkha (Rajuk) towards prevention of unauthorised construction in the city.  

It is reported that there are still about a hundred illegal makeshift structures around the marshland where the accident took place. One wonders how such a large number of unauthorised constructions could have taken place on government land right under the nose of Rajuk! According to various reports of The Daily Star, such unlawful constructions are going on across the city even in unauthorised and unfit places like marshlands in collusion with local influentials and corrupt members of the regulatory bodies. In this case, a city leader of the ruling party's youth wing, reportedly, built the illegal makeshift structure, managed unauthorised utility connections and rented it out to make a quick buck. 

We urge the government to bring the culprit to book and give exemplary punishment. The city authority should take necessary action to prevent construction of such illegal and vulnerable structures and demolish the existing ones. 

The urban poor contribute significantly to the city's economic activities and development. But they pass their lives in the shadow of the city's extravagance; they dwell in risky housing structures without basic amenities. The city authority should plan for rehabilitation of these poor people into safe and affordable housing arrangements.