Gawsia Twin Peak not complying with fire hazard regulations

Gawsia Twin Peak is a spectacular building on Sat Masjid Road in capital's Dhanmondi. All around this building are eateries like Cozy Green Cottage on Bailey Road. However, Mustapha Khalid Palash, the architect of the building, urged the general people not to enter this building as it removed everything to deal with the fire risk.

Mustapha Khalid Palash, principal of Vistaara Architects, says, "Although the design and approval is for a commercial building, it has been completely transformed into a risky restaurant building with a major disruption in its use."

In a social media post, the architect said that the Gawsia Twin Peak building designed by him is basically a commercial building, But restaurants have been placed on each floor of the building, fire doors have been removed and storerooms have been made in the fire stairwells. Building owners and user organizations are using the structure in an unsafe manner without following the instructions of the architect, which poses a threat to human life and property.

Mustapha Khalid Palash gave a symbolic message that no one should go there thinking about their safety. By this he means to be aware of fire safety. He pointed fingers at the building owners for making the building unsafe.

Architect writes, "The final power given by RAJUK to an architect, to sign the report for occupancy certificate, is not even considered here. Business is running without occupancy certificate. As the building has been taken up in violation of the specified use, as architect I refrained from providing reports and edge-built drawings to the owner of the land, the developer has been repeatedly warned in writing, but no fruitful progress has been made."

"My pleas are repeatedly in vain in front of money. If you ask the developer about a fire license; How is that possible? If you want a copy, they don't answer. We cannot rent to anyone so what else to do? - this is the answer of the owner. They were also informed that if proper measures are not taken, a complaint will be filed with the authorities concerned."

Lt Col Mohammad Tajul Islam Chowdhury, director of the Department of Fire Service and Civil Defence ((operation and maintenance), told Views Bangladesh, "I work as the chief inspector of all buildings in Bangladesh. Due to related reasons, I can't say specifically what is the condition of any building in the country."

"We have inspectors in every area to observe these. However, if there is any specific information provided to us, we will take action," he added.

Tajul Islam Chowdhury asked for a link of architect Mustapha Khalid Palash's post to look into the matter.