MEDIA reports said on Wednesday that the Cabinet meeting on Monday accepted the LGRD Ministry’s proposal to stop running of commercial establishments such as hospitals, hotels, restaurants, bars and private universities in Dhaka city’s residential areas. The proposal also called for a stop to permission to set up such establishments in residential areas.
The decision to stop new proliferation of such businesses is no doubt a good move in view of the fact that the presence of such establishments, which have grown over the years, has severely impacted the quality of life in city residential areas. But the decision is also bound to have a gruesome effect in the lives of people who have already made huge investment in these commercial establishments with due permission of RAJUK and other authorities concerned. Dhanmondi, Gulshan, Uttara, Banani and almost every corner of the city is a mixed business-cum residential bloc. Their disciplining will be a huge destructive work to be painful to people who will come under such drive.
But it is also true that they have changed the residential character of city blocs. Deafening noise, unbearable traffic snarl-ups and excessive heat have made life miserable. In this sense, eviction of commercial establishments is quite sensible. Deliberately or by default the authorities allow these commercial bodies grew over many years. So the authorities have to share blame and think seriously to expand space for commercial activities outside the residential areas.
The recent bulldozing of the two City Corporations destroying basement of many residential buildings in the city and evicting businesses made many to suffer huge financial losses. Such destruction could have been averted if sensible decisions were made giving them reasonable time. Where buildings were constructed, outside permission does deserve sympathy. But what is important is to behave responsibly and not just show power.
In our view the LGRD Ministry should develop a system to allow all stakeholders to work together to build a clean and disciplined city from now, which will not require change of direction.
