‘Rules being framed for unauthorised buildings’

Housing and Public Works Minister Zakaria Taher said on Wednesday that the government is framing rules for buildings constructed without approved plans or in violation of approved designs.
“We are making rules for those who have already constructed buildings without plans or violated approved plans. Work on this is underway,” he said while speaking at the “Smart City Conclave 2026”, organised by Banik Barta at Hotel Sheraton in Banani, Dhaka. Taher said six new development authorities had been established in the 
past seven months in Mymensingh, Sylhet, Cumilla, Narayanganj, Rangpur and Barishal, taking the total number to 10. Work was also underway to establish an authority for Bogura.
He said the absence of development authorities in some areas had left city corporations responsible for both approving building plans and carrying out development works, weakening checks and balances.
“We are trying to bring everyone under a comprehensive legal framework,” he said.
Referring to Gulshan, Banani and Hatirjheel, the minister said the Prime Minister had held six meetings with them over the lakes in the areas. He said an estimated 70-80% of houses in Gulshan and Banani apparently lacked the septic tanks and soak wells required under their original plans.
“Even reputed developers have been constructing buildings and connecting their sewage systems directly,” he said, adding that the government was working to raise awareness.
Taher said the government was also moving towards a single approval system requiring architectural, structural and electrical plans to be submitted together. After approval, professionals responsible for the designs would have to certify the completed building before an occupancy certificate could be issued.
He said the Urban Development Directorate had also undertaken a nearly 10-year urban development plan, initially focusing on metropolitan cities before expanding to major cities and upazilas.