Implementation of laws is a must to address the issue of building collapse in the country, experts said in a discussion yesterday.
They also attributed the incidents of building collapse in the country to the lack of proper coordination and inspection by the government bodies.
The experts were addressing a panel discussion organised by Centre for Urban Studies (CUS) at the Asiatic Society in the city.
The discussion was a part of the CUS daylong annual conference: Recent Research on Urbanisation in Bangladesh.
The panel of experts in their address underscored the need for steps to properly implement laws and compel all citizens to abide by the national building code.
There is lack of coordination among the government bodies like Rajuk, municipality authorities and inspection department before issuing approval for new construction and to inspect that after construction, observed the panel.
CUS Chair Prof Nazrul Islam said the recently collapsed Rana Plaza in Savar was constructed violating the municipality’s rule. The government just enacts laws and policies but hardly implements those properly.
He emphasised coordination between Rajuk and municipality authorities before giving approval for new construction.
Prof Nazrul stressed that the government bodies inspect all risky garment factories and buildings across the country.
CUS Vice-President Amirul Islam Chowdhury said, “The recent Rana Plaza collapse is a stark example of such lack of coordination among the concerned authorities.”
“If high rises collapse in the country, the government will not be able to operate rescue operation, he said, adding that it is a must for the government to implement national building code and procure all equipment necessary to address the need,” added Amirul.
Among others, architects Abdul Haque, Abdus Salam, Shahidul Amin and Salma Shafique spoke on the occasion.
Earlier, eight young researchers presented their research papers on different issues for postgraduate degrees.
