Faulty Buildings: They will be identified in 15 days

Housing and Public Works Minister SM Rezaul Karim yesterday said all buildings constructed violating rules would be identified within 15 days.

“If necessary, the identified buildings will be sealed off, demolished, or all activities will be suspended there until safety is ensured,” he told reporters after visiting a Gulshan kitchen market where a fire broke out in the morning.

Owners, businessmen, developers, and even city corporation officials will face action if found involved in faulty constructions, he added.

The minister in February told parliament that 66 percent of 2.04 lakh buildings in the capital were constructed violating building rules.

Building regulator Rajdhani Unnyan Kartripakkha (Rajuk) has been trying for years to justify its failure to enforce regulation with manpower shortage.

The minister yesterday said that he often heard allegations that probe reports after disasters got buried.

Reports of the ongoing probes will be published the week after the investigations end, he said.

He then urged people to create awareness in this regard.

“If there is no awareness among people…only the Rajuk, ministers or MPs will not be able to solve the problem…Let me know the complaints you have. We will take action.”

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is monitoring the situation, he added.

Dhaka 17 lawmaker Akbar Hossain Pathan Faruque and Awami League Acting Secretary Mahbub-Ul-Alam Hanif were present there.