S A Shofiee, Sylhet :
Residents of at least 32 buildings in the Sylhet City are living in utter danger as the buildings have become worn out over the years and have become unsuitable for living.
Cracks have developed in most of the buildings, The deplorable buildings, though unbalanced, are catering commercial establishments like offices of different organisations and businesses along with residences for people.
While talking to locals on the issue, they feared about collapse of the buildings anytime. They said the number of risky buildings in the city is also increasing as their owners or authorities are not conducting any standard repair and renovation works to address the problem.
SCC has already listed 32 buildings in the Sylhet City are in Deplorable Condition. Sylhet City Corporation (SCC) demolished a three- storey vulnerable building in Tantipara area of the city on Thursday.
While visiting some of the spots, it was found that ceilings and floors in most of the building had developed cracks and the walls in some of the rooms were damp with heavy moss coverings. Chunks of concrete plasters were also falling apart from the walls at some places. Among the buildings visited, the ones at Colecttorate Office, Co Operative Bank, District SA Records room, District Womens Office, Customs and Vat Office, Surma Market, City Super Market, Rahman plaza, Mitali Mansion, Sylhet model School and Collage, Engineering Collage, which housed were in the worst condition.
A six -storied abandoned building at Madhuban in the city, owned by Ragib Ali was also in sorry state.
Ahmed Ali, owner of Sotorupa tailors located on the building’s ground floor, said though the building was unstable he and his employees were carrying out the business with serious concerns about their safety.
Later, an application was submitted along with the signatures to the district’s deputy commissioner to press home their demands but no initiative was yet taken, he added. However, sources at the district’s Public Works Department claimed that people were living in those buildings though the department declared the establishments risky and unsafe a long time back.
Nur Azijur Rahman Chief Engineer of SCC said, “So far we have a list of 32 buildings, Executive Engineer of district Public Works Department (PWD) said they would inform the matter to the higher authorities again and urge them to take necessary steps as soon as possible.
Deputy Commissioner (DC) Joinal Abedin said they were unable to take necessary initiatives as no order has been issued in this regard. Sources at the department said the government earlier had decided to sell the abandoned houses to the private sector but no directive was issued yet.
However, they acknowledged that a tragedy similar to the Rana Plaza collapse in Savar might take place anytime due to non-implementation of the decision and negligence, the official added.
3 vulnerable buildings demolished
Sylhet City Corporation (SCC) demolished a three- storey vulnerable building in Tantipara area of the city on Thursday.
The building was demolished around 11am in presence of a SCC team, led by executive magistrate Rezaul Karim, said Enamul Habib, chief executive officer of Sylhet City Corporation.
“It was one of the 32 buildings listed as risky by SCC,” he said.
Earlier, the building owner had been asked to take steps by Wednesday last as it was enlisted as ‘risky’. As the owner took no initiative in this regard.
