The authorities of two Dhaka City Corporations have decided that businessmen will no longer be allowed to set up new commercial outlets at random in posh residential areas of the capital.
The decision came from a views-exchange meeting held in the capital’s Gulshan Club yesterday.
During the meeting, Housing and Public Works Minister Mosharraf Hossain said: “No businessman will be allowed to set up any new commercial outlet at random in posh residential areas—Gulshan, Banani, Baridhara, Dhanmondi, Nikunja and Uttara residential model town. They (businessmen) must arrange it within the designated areas.
“The decision will take an immediate effect and stern action will be taken if anyone violates it.”
“However, those who already have their commercial enterprises outside the designated areas of residential neighbourhoods, will have to arrange parking spaces within their establishments and improve the garbage removal system on a temporary basis,” added the minister.
Permanent decision in this regard would come later after a joint meeting of Dhaka City Corporations authorities, government high-ups, Rajuk authorities and representatives of different business organisations, the minister further said.
The views-exchange was arranged by the authorities of Dhaka North City Corporation.
Among others, Dhaka North City Corporation Mayor Annisul Huq, Dhaka South City Corporation Mayor Mohammad Sayeed Khokon, Rajuk Chairman GM Jainul Abedin Bhuiyan and Gulshan Society President ATM Shamsul Huda were present on the occasion.
The minister urged everyone to cooperate with the two Mayors Annisul and Khokon to reform Dhaka.
Mayor Annisul Huq urged the business owners of the residential areas to free their basement for arranging car parking.
“I have discussed about the matter with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina who also wants to see Dhaka clean and livable city. I hope everyone will free their basement within next one month. If anyone uses building basement for business purpose, we will demolish that business establishment,” he said.
Mayor Sayeed Khokon said a huge number of offices had been established in residential buildings all over Dhanmondi area causing traffic congestion.
The government has increased the fees for converting land category from residential to non-residential in the more upscale areas of the capital by 750% over the last few years, apparently to discourage commercialisation of the neighbourhoods.
Following recommendations from the parliamentary standing committee on the Housing and Public Works Ministry, the Rajdhani Unnayan Kartipakkha (Rajuk) increased land conversion fees by almost 7.5 times, or 750%, for converting plots from the category of residential to non-residential or commercial in the residential areas Gulshan, Banani, Baridhara, Nikunja and Uttara.
The capital development authority in December fixed Tk5m for the conversion of a plot from residential to commercial, and Tk3m for residential to non-residential, in Gulshan, Banani and Baridhara.
For Uttara and Nikunja, except along the Dhaka-Mymensingh road, the conversion fees were fixed at Tk2.5m for residential to commercial and Tk1.5m for residential to non-residential.