DAP stalled 80% construction approvals for 2 years: Dhaka landowners
Landowners in Dhaka have strongly objected to the Detailed Area Plan (DAP) 2022-2035, claiming it has stalled construction approvals for 80% of the city over the past two years.
During a human chain protest in front of the National Press Club today, they criticised the plan as discriminatory and said while high-rise construction is permitted in 20% of Dhaka, the remaining areas are restricted to buildings of only half the height and size.
"We have been forced to protest this flawed DAP. It was designed under the previous government to benefit specific groups at the expense of landowners," said Professor Dewan MA Sazzad, coordinator of the Dhaka Landowners Association.
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"We repeatedly appealed to Rajuk (Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha), but our concerns were ignored. We urge the government to revise the DAP and ensure fairness in building regulations," he added.
In a written statement, the landowners criticised the DAP and its "discriminatory" Floor Area Ratio (FAR) regulations, claiming they have severely hindered the city's housing development and caused massive losses for over two lakh landowners.
The landowners demanded that construction permissions follow the 2008 Dhaka Metropolitan Building Rules to address these issues. They argued that the current DAP's FAR restrictions have significantly reduced building heights, effectively pushing genuine landowners out of Dhaka.
They urged authorities to revise the DAP and FAR regulations to eliminate discrimination and ensure fair opportunities for development in the city.
The association announced plans for tougher movement if their demands are not met by 15 January.
At the protest, the landowners presented a five-point demand, including: implementing the 2008 Dhaka Metropolitan Building Rules for construction approvals, revising the DAP to protect water bodies, rivers, parks, and residential areas, and addressing the city's waterlogging issues.
They also called for simplifying the building approval process and eliminating harassment by authorities.
