Risk-prone buildings are marked only by pen and paper
Will action be taken against the negligence of the authorities?
Recently, the alarming fire incident at Green Cozy Cottage building on Bailey Road in the capital city has sparked new discussions about the safety of buildings and construction practices in the country. However, when a risky building collapses or catches fire, the issue is discussed nationwide, but soon the discussions fade away without any real action being taken. Subsequently, life, education, office, and business activities continue as usual amidst the risks. Utilities such as gas, electricity, water, and telephone connections are not disconnected in risky buildings. Holding numbers are not revoked. As a result, in the event of a natural disaster like fire or earthquake, there is a high risk of large-scale loss of lives.
According to information published in the news media, after the devastating fire incident, various irregularities are being revealed in the construction of Green cozy Cottage building on Bailey Road in the capital. The eight-story residential-commercial building did not have permission for restaurant business on each floor. However, almost every floor is bustling with well-known eight restaurants.
Not only that, but the building authorities did not comply with one of the 22 conditions of the fire safety plan approval. Despite receiving notices from the fire service authorities three times, the building owners did not implement them. This information has been revealed by the Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (RAJUK) along with the fire service authorities.
Not just the Green Kozi Cottage building on Bailey Road, there are thousands of similar buildings in the city of Dhaka. It's only after accidents occur that we come to know about the flaws or weaknesses in those buildings. In any type of fire incident, building collapse, explosion, or any other disaster, it's the firefighters who rush in first, often risking their lives. However, many others are involved in these tasks in the city, but they are not seen as prominently. In reality, there is no effective framework for such operations in Dhaka. Although there are clear laws regarding fire safety management in buildings, the building owners often fail to adhere to them knowingly. Gas cylinders are being stored haphazardly without proper inspection and selection of fitness.
Chemicals are not prohibited from being stored in residential buildings. Furthermore, government agencies responsible for oversight are also questioned about their roles. There are serious allegations of corruption against them, involving accepting bribes to overlook regulatory compliance.
According to available information, no ministry has accurate statistics on the number of risky buildings in the country, including the capital. The responsibility for disaster management and prevention lies with two organizations, the Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (RAJUK) and the city corporation, but even they lack comprehensive data on the number of risky buildings. Certainly, according to information from the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief, 72,000 buildings in Dhaka have been identified as risky. The question arises: why are these risky structures not being demolished?
Furthermore, why does the government and various organizations only become active after major accidents occur repeatedly? It is time to examine how much of a role their oversight, promises, or assurances play in preventing accidents. Especially in the case of RAJUK or city corporations, who are responsible for overseeing these buildings, there are allegations against them that they themselves accept various benefits from building owners, leading to these irregularities. There are further allegations that many of the illegally constructed buildings are owned by financially or politically influential individuals. In such cases, how feasible it will be to bring these influential individuals within the purview of the law remains questionable.
The source indicates that the police have been held responsible for the fire incident that resulted in the deaths of 46 people in the building known as Green cozy Cottage on Bailey Road in the capital. Several individuals have also been arrested in connection with this case. Here lies the problem. Because there is no mention of any corrupt officials from RAJUK or the city corporation in this case. We believe that without their cooperation, conducting illegal business operations would be impossible. Otherwise, there is negligence on their part.
As a result, the implementation of the Bangladesh National Building Code Act has become urgent. Additionally, it is now imperative to confront government officials and employees based on allegations and take appropriate action under the law.
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