The government has intensified its crackdown on establishments that flout permitted designs and fire safety regulations. The move comes in the wake of the deadly fire on Thursday at the Green Cozy Cottage building on Bailey Road in the capital.
Concerted steps have been undertaken by various agencies, including Rajdhani Unnayan Kartipakhha (Rajuk), the Dhaka city corporations, and law enforcement agencies. These agencies have launched separate drives, spurred by growing concerns over the rampant violations jeopardizing the safety of residents in the city.
According to a senior official at one of the agencies involved, the operations are part of a comprehensive strategy to enforce compliance with regulations. The drives involve two teams, with one team collecting information about establishments that have violated Rajuk directions while the other team conducts drives based on the former’s reports.
As part of the drive, Rajuk on Monday demolished a rooftop restaurant located in the Gausia Twin Peak building on Sat Masjid Road. The demolition was prompted by the establishment's failure to adhere to approved designs and regulatory norms.
Rajuk Zone-3 Director and Executive Magistrate Tajina Sarwar revealed that the building, initially approved for office purposes, was found to be housing 12 restaurants and food court businesses illegally.
Similarly, the Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) has been actively involved in the crackdown, sealing off an 11-storey building named Keari Crescent Tower. This action was taken in response to identified fire safety risks within the building, posing a grave threat to occupants and neighbouring properties.
Executive Magistrate Md Jahangir Alam spearheaded the inspection efforts, uncovering a myriad of irregularities within the premises. Among the alarming discoveries were improperly stored LNG gas cylinders, obstructed emergency exit routes, and substandard construction practices.
The inspection further revealed glaring deficiencies in the design and layout of the visa processing offices located within the building. Rooms constructed with materials susceptible to fire hazards raised significant concerns among authorities, prompting immediate action.
In a bid to hold accountable those responsible for violations, Executive Magistrate Md Jahangir Alam ordered the arrest of individuals associated with the illegal operations. Subsequently, fines to the tune of Tk3 lakh were imposed.
Meanwhile, in Wari's Rankin Street area, Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) teams have inspected over 50 restaurants since Sunday night and detained 16 people for failing to maintain fire safety standards.
Addressing journalists before his office on Minto Road on Monday, Detective Branch (DB) chief Mohammad Harunor Rashid said: “Some 46 people, including the daughter of one of our police officers, who was a meritorious student at Buet, were killed in the Bailey Road fire. If each agency had fulfilled its responsibilities, such incidents might not have occurred. Therefore, we are investigating every restaurant to see if any restaurants do not comply with fire safety regulations. We are checking those places to see if there are proper exits for quick evacuation and pathways for air circulation, and we will inform the appropriate authorities if we find any irregularities.
"There is negligence behind such accidents. But we look for it only after something happens. Buildings are being constructed at random without following the rules. If all these buildings had been searched beforehand, this would not have happened. Incidents like Bangabazar, Nimtoli, and Banani's FR Tower would not happen repeatedly.”
Ashraful Islam, chief town planner of Rajuk, stressed the gravity of the situation, citing a pressing need to address violations promptly.
"Tampering of approved designs, fire exits, closing of parking places, and management of restaurants are being prioritized in the operation," he said.
Collaborative efforts between government agencies have been instrumental in identifying and addressing risk-prone areas across the city. Coordination between authorities aims to streamline enforcement actions and mitigate potential threats to public safety.
Responding to inquiries, he reiterated the government’s commitment to ongoing efforts aimed at safeguarding residents and properties. Routine inspections and enforcement operations will remain a priority, with a particular focus on addressing violations in housing projects and commercial establishments.
“Under routine work, we conduct around 12 to 14 operations per month that are related to housing projects. Now, since the issue of illegally operating restaurants in various types of buildings is a burning issue, we have boosted our raids against these establishments,” Ashraful Islam added.
