Rajuk had submitted complaints against 86 buildings in the city to the recently abolished Anti Corruption Bureau (ACB) for investigation as they were not erected with the approval from Rajuk. But the ACB did not take any action against the owners of those building. The files have now been transferred to the newly formed Anti Corruption Commission (ACC).

"We could not take any measures against the unapproved buildings because of a corrupt circle which includes Rajuk officials and law enforcement officers," said Emdadul Islam, chief engineer of Rajuk.

Recently Rajuk suspended five of its officials following an investigation into how those buildings in question could be raised without approval.

"We are trying to identify the corrupt officials of Rajuk and five have already been suspended. But this is not enough as law enforcing authorities are also involved in wholesale corruption," said Islam.

"We had filed cases against two high rise buildings near the Bangla Motor intersection but nothing happened as the owners managed to 'negotiate' with the law enforcers. Recently we filed a case with the Gulshan police station against a group who has filled a portion of the Gulshan Lake illegally in complete violation of the Wetland Protection Act 2000 but no action was taken," said Islam.

The chief engineer also said that many developers including those who are members of the Real Estate Housing Association of Bangladesh (Rehab) violate Rajuk's plans.

"Nowhere in the world buildings are constructed in such an unplanned manner as in this country. Rajuk has certain regulations and provisions which the building owners do not follow," said Islam.

"One of the reasons for traffic congestion in the city is due to buildings without adequate car parking space," added Islam.

Rehab president Tawfiq M Seraj said that they were ready to take action against members who violate Rajuk's rules. But gross violation of the Wetland Protection Act 2000 shows that real-estate owners or companies are not concerned about the adverse environmental impacts on the city. The filling of low-lying areas and wetland was believed to have aggravated this year's flood in the city but earth filling goes unabated.

The Rehab president said that there were no specific rules for land development in the past. The gazette of the Private Land Development Rules was done this year. "We hope that from now on developers will take environmental issues in consideration more," he said.

Islam questioned how the real-estate companies could offer discounts of up to 40 percent and offer gifts like television for booking when price of rod had almost doubled.

Rehab's president did not want to comment on the prices but said that discounts were possible because of cheaper sources of steel.

Islam said that the buildings raised without approval were a threat to life during natural calamities like

earthquakes. "We need to have a national building code and a cell should be formed to monitor the low quality buildings," said Islam.

"We are trying to institutionalise this sector with professional architects and engineers. The Rehab members are using modern techniques and also constructing buildings after measuring possible impact from earthquakes," said Tawfiq.