RAJUK to appoint 3rdparty for supervisingnew building making

Now Rajuk has 230 inspectors

Mahfuz Emran: The Capital Development Authority (RAJUK) wants to appoint a third party to assess the infrastructure of the buildings constructed in the capital Dhaka and supervise the works of the buildings under construction. The organization has formed a nine-member committee with Rajuk chairman as its chairperson to formulate a code of conduct in this regard. Those concerned believe that if this supervision program is done properly, fire accidents, building collapses and earthquake damage can be avoided in Dhaka.
These facts are mentioned in a working paper of the Urban Development Committee of Rajuk. According to Rajuk sources, the Urban Development Committee meeting was held on March 11. Several decisions taken in the meeting are mentioned in the minutes. Among these comes the inclusion of a third party in building survey and construction supervision.
For this purpose, to formulate a code of conduct, the Chairman of the Capital Development Authority (RAJUK) as the President and RAJUK Member (Planning), Member (Development Control), Urban Resilience Project Director, Urban Planner, Architect Institute representative, Engineer Institute representative, Bangladesh Institute of Planners as members. is formed. Soon they will meet on the matter.
When asked to know, Ashraful Islam, city planner of Rajuk told, “There are about 230 building inspectors in Rajuk. They are working in different zones of Rajuk. But as many houses or buildings are being constructed in the city every month, it is not possible to inspect them with such a small manpower. As a result, they are building buildings as they like. In most cases Rajuk approved design is not followed. That is why I am planning to supervise these activities through outsourcing.
In the meeting minutes of the Urban Development Committee on March 11, several other steps have been taken to ensure the safety of all buildings in the city. Among them, regular supervision of fire extinguishers in the building with the help of technical person, legal action if any deviation is found, Rajuk’s officials who are involved in building design preparation, inspection and approval at various stages are brought under strict accountability.
In addition, it was decided that a report will be presented in the next meeting about the steps taken by Rajuk and the future action plan to find out the reasons for the accidents that have occurred in various buildings in the city.
In that meeting, the results of a survey by Rajuk were presented. It is said that Bangladesh is one of the most vulnerable countries in the world in terms of possible earthquake damage due to its geographical location at the intersection of the Indian, Eurasian and Burmese tectonic plates. Recently, the Global Earthquake Disaster Risk Index (EDRI) identified the capital Dhaka as one of the 20 riskiest cities in the world.
Under the ‘Urban Resilience Project’ under the Ministry of Housing and Public Works with the financial support of the Government of Bangladesh and the World Bank, the Dhaka Metropolitan Region has been assessed in a survey of an area of 1528 square kilometers.
According to the study, if there is an earthquake of magnitude 6.9 in Tangail’s Madhupur during the day, 8 lakh 65 thousand (40.28 percent) buildings of the capital Dhaka will collapse. If this earthquake occurs during the day, 2 lakh 10 thousand people will die, 2 lakh 29 thousand will be injured.
A 6.9 magnitude earthquake will cause a financial loss of about $25 billion, which is about Tk 262,000 crores in Bangladeshi currency. After the earthquake, the government will have to spend about $44 billion or about Tk 462,000 crores to repair and rebuild the buildings.
Besides, the study also says that if an earthquake of magnitude 7.1 occurs on Sylhet’s Dawki fault line, at least 40,935 (1.91 percent) buildings of Dhaka will collapse. If the earthquake occurs during the day, 16,000 people will lose their lives. 28 thousand people will be injured. An earthquake of this magnitude will cause a financial loss of about $5 billion, which is equal to about 52,500 crore rupees. After the earthquake, the repair and reconstruction of buildings will cost about $7 billion (Tk 73 thousand and a half crores).
After presenting the results of such a survey in the urban development committee meeting, urban experts expressed different opinions.
Professor Khandkar Sabbir Ahmed, president of Bangladesh Institute of Architects, said in the meeting, “Gas fire is a serious issue in relation to recent incidents. S-traps cannot be used in houses, master traps must be installed. Gas sensor should be provided. It should be monitored whether the building is being built according to the approved design and building code of Rajuk.
Bangladesh Institute of Planners President Planner Mohammad Fazle Reza Sumon said that rules and regulations have been violated in the construction of 90 percent of buildings in Dhaka. He said, “In this case, Rajuk is responsible.”
Engineer Nurul Huda, the former chairman of Rajuk, said, “There have been many casualties in various disasters from 2010 to 2019. At present, if such an incident occurs, it will not be possible to carry out rescue work.
RAJUK Member (Development) Engineer Major (Retd.) Samsuddin Ahmad Chowdhury said, “House owners should be made aware of keeping the septic tank clean in every densely populated area including Siddique Bazar.” Stop keeping any flammable material in the basement.
Rajuk chairman at the meeting. Anisur Rahman Mia said that today’s meeting has been organized to decide what Rajuk should do in the city and the next meeting should be informed about the extent to which the decision has been implemented. Because Rajuk has responsibilities. Rajuk is not above accountability. Strict instructions are being given to inspectors and authorization officers to bring order to urbanisation.