Sagar Biswas :
Hundreds of people of city’s Dhanmondi residential area have been passing their days in utmost uncertainty following the ongoing harsh eviction drive conducted by Rajdhani Unnayan Katripakkha [RAJUK] being inspired by Ministry of Housing and Public Works.
Apart from the owners, several thousand people are earning their bread being employed at different commercial establishments in the area.
Recently, the eviction drive has been intensified following latest verdict of the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court which upheld a 2012 High Court verdict for removal of unauthorised commercial establishments and educational institutions from Dhanmondi.
“At any cost we will evict all illegal establishments from the residential areas. However, we will allow sufficient time to hospitals and school-college-varsities after issuing notice. If anyone violates RAJUK order, we will take tough action against them,” Housing and Public Works Minister Mosharraf Hossain had said.
RAJUK [Rajdhani Unnayan Katripakkha] officials said that they had sent a show-cause letter to 341 plot owners for illegal commercial use of residential plots. In the eviction list, there are bars, guest houses, private community centres, fitness centres, spa, beauty parlour, private schools-colleges-universities,
clinics, coaching centres, boutique shops, etcetera.
Sources close to the Ministry of Housing and Public Works told The New Nation that it has already sent a letter to Ministry of Home for cancelling license of bar in the residential areas. At the same time, it also requested the Home Ministry not to issue new license or renew any bar license.
Meanwhile, there are widespread allegations that, a section of unscrupulous officials of RAJUK and Dhaka City Corporation had given permission to different commercial establishments, which are now proved as illegal. Not only that, the commercial establishments also had got approval from different service providers-gas, electricity and telephone.
It is also alleged that, they had got permission from the respective bodies and utility service providers in the first phase paying all bills and other expenditures, including speed money. So, if these are now illegal than how could such businesses continued functioning year after year?
Expressing severe dissatisfaction, prominent urban planner Professor Nazrul Islam said that such eviction of commercial establishment is not a complete solution to any crisis. “I think, the government should not make any hurry to execute such decisions. I think, the government must rethink before evict the commercial establishments from the residential areas while the unemployment rate is increasing.”
“In Dhanmondi, several commercial establishments have been set up for the sake of greater city, like hospitals and educational institutions. These are providing services to thousands of people. So, the government must rethink, in which area those will be re-established. It’s solely government’s duty,” Prof Nazrul Islam said.
“RAJUK or City Corporation had given approval of these commercial establishments. The businessmen have invested a lot of money there. So, it will be not wise to take quick decision. It needs time…Besides, government must arrange alternative arrangements for them,” eminent urban expert Prof Nazrul Islam said.
The decision of apex court came at a time when eviction drives were going on against unauthorised commercial structures in the city’s residential areas in the wake of terror attack at Holey Artisan Bakery in Gulshan, which had not got any permission for running business.
According to the HC verdict, if government permits the plot holders of commercial establishments adjacent to the main raods — Green Road, Mirpur Road, Road 2, Satmasjid Road and Road 27 Old could run their business paying conversion and other fees.
Earlier on June 11, 2012, the HC pronounced the verdict after hearing a public interest litigation writ petition filed by Dhanmondi Residential Welfare Association president MA Masud and general secretary MA Matin Chowdhury for the protection of residential character of the area.
The apex court verdict also observed that commercial activities violating law had been going on in Dhanmondi residential area resulting to traffic congestion, lack of parking areas, noise pollution and scarcity of gas-electric-water.
Hundreds of people of city’s Dhanmondi residential area have been passing their days in utmost uncertainty following the ongoing harsh eviction drive conducted by Rajdhani Unnayan Katripakkha [RAJUK] being inspired by Ministry of Housing and Public Works.
Apart from the owners, several thousand people are earning their bread being employed at different commercial establishments in the area.
Recently, the eviction drive has been intensified following latest verdict of the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court which upheld a 2012 High Court verdict for removal of unauthorised commercial establishments and educational institutions from Dhanmondi.
“At any cost we will evict all illegal establishments from the residential areas. However, we will allow sufficient time to hospitals and school-college-varsities after issuing notice. If anyone violates RAJUK order, we will take tough action against them,” Housing and Public Works Minister Mosharraf Hossain had said.
RAJUK [Rajdhani Unnayan Katripakkha] officials said that they had sent a show-cause letter to 341 plot owners for illegal commercial use of residential plots. In the eviction list, there are bars, guest houses, private community centres, fitness centres, spa, beauty parlour, private schools-colleges-universities,
clinics, coaching centres, boutique shops, etcetera.
Sources close to the Ministry of Housing and Public Works told The New Nation that it has already sent a letter to Ministry of Home for cancelling license of bar in the residential areas. At the same time, it also requested the Home Ministry not to issue new license or renew any bar license.
Meanwhile, there are widespread allegations that, a section of unscrupulous officials of RAJUK and Dhaka City Corporation had given permission to different commercial establishments, which are now proved as illegal. Not only that, the commercial establishments also had got approval from different service providers-gas, electricity and telephone.
It is also alleged that, they had got permission from the respective bodies and utility service providers in the first phase paying all bills and other expenditures, including speed money. So, if these are now illegal than how could such businesses continued functioning year after year?
Expressing severe dissatisfaction, prominent urban planner Professor Nazrul Islam said that such eviction of commercial establishment is not a complete solution to any crisis. “I think, the government should not make any hurry to execute such decisions. I think, the government must rethink before evict the commercial establishments from the residential areas while the unemployment rate is increasing.”
“In Dhanmondi, several commercial establishments have been set up for the sake of greater city, like hospitals and educational institutions. These are providing services to thousands of people. So, the government must rethink, in which area those will be re-established. It’s solely government’s duty,” Prof Nazrul Islam said.
“RAJUK or City Corporation had given approval of these commercial establishments. The businessmen have invested a lot of money there. So, it will be not wise to take quick decision. It needs time…Besides, government must arrange alternative arrangements for them,” eminent urban expert Prof Nazrul Islam said.
The decision of apex court came at a time when eviction drives were going on against unauthorised commercial structures in the city’s residential areas in the wake of terror attack at Holey Artisan Bakery in Gulshan, which had not got any permission for running business.
According to the HC verdict, if government permits the plot holders of commercial establishments adjacent to the main raods — Green Road, Mirpur Road, Road 2, Satmasjid Road and Road 27 Old could run their business paying conversion and other fees.
Earlier on June 11, 2012, the HC pronounced the verdict after hearing a public interest litigation writ petition filed by Dhanmondi Residential Welfare Association president MA Masud and general secretary MA Matin Chowdhury for the protection of residential character of the area.
The apex court verdict also observed that commercial activities violating law had been going on in Dhanmondi residential area resulting to traffic congestion, lack of parking areas, noise pollution and scarcity of gas-electric-water.
