NEWSPAPER reports said at least 321 buildings were identified as risky in capital and a threat to lives and properties of thousands of people. These buildings under the two city corporations and mainly in the South City must be demolished soon but the Rajuk is still undecided for their demolition keeping the safety of people at risks. The decision whether to demolish them or let them retrofitted is hanging in balance as the two city corporations and Rajuk are locked in a row over taking decision in this regard.
Experts said that most of the buildings were built using the arching method and faulty designs. Due to earthquakes or even from strong winds, the lateral deflection of those buildings can’t be resisted. These buildings are vulnerable and many of them have already showed cracks during earthquake indicating they remain open threat to safety.
Moreover, an overwhelming number of buildings have been built in the city flouting the Bangladesh National Building Code that didn’t even exist prior to 1993. The buildings made according to Rajuk’s plan exceeded the number of floors than allowed largely to accommodate the growing number of people. For owners of these buildings, it meant more money. In some cases, political pressure worked to get permission for high-rise building though building code is breached. Garment factory buildings are always vulnerable due to frequent vibration from machines during production.
This might create horrific massacre in garment sectors where many labours work at a time within the building. Besides, most of the buildings of old Dhaka city and around were built without complying building code making them vulnerable to risk of collapse such as Rana Plaza tragedy occurred. Special attention needs to be given to avoid incidents. It is true that the city has the identified vulnerable buildings but the conflict of authority between the two City Corporations and Rajuk as to who will authorize the demolition still remains the critical issue.
Since removing of the faults of those building is not possible, it is the need of the hour to shift people from these vulnerable buildings and make arrangement to demolish them. Faulty building need to be marked so that people cannot dare to rent housing space in those building. Governmental must bring pressure on the authorities concerned to take decision of those building before people are met with big tragedies. The lessons from Nepal must work to take steps to save the people at least by demolishing old risky buildings showing multiple cracks.
