‘Risky buildings in Old Dhaka needs to be demolished’

Concerned authorities will propose the government to demolish rickety buildings in Old Dhaka and build new ones in their place, said Housing and Public Works Minister SM Rezaul Karim on Saturday.

But he acknowledged that this part of the capital cannot be transformed into a risk-free locality overnight, reports UNB.

"The situation in old Dhaka is so sensitive that even hitting a brick can lead to the collapse of a building," he told a discussion titled 'Government's responsibility and people's duty about constructing buildings' arranged by Dhaka Utility Reporters' Association at Dhaka Reporters' Unity.

Around 66 per cent buildings in Dhaka and its adjoining areas under the jurisdiction of Rajuk were constructed in an unplanned way, said the minister.

He said they would take actions against very risky buildings and those constructed violating the building code.

Minister Karim said a huge number of establishments in Old Dhaka need to be torn down to make the roads wider so that fire fighters can access the area without any trouble.

A fire at a chemical warehouse in Old Dhaka in late February killed 70 people.

Karim said the government will be taking swift measures to prevent and tackle emergency situations.