New construction in Dhaka will require city corporation approval too: LGRD minister

From now on, new construction in Dhaka will require approval from the city corporation concerned, apart from the Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (Rajuk), said Local Government and Rural Development (LGRD) Minister Md Tajul Islam.

He made the disclosure addressing a meeting at the Secretariat in the capital on Sunday.  

"Official approval will be required from both Rajuk and the city corporation concerned before any construction in Dhaka," the minister said.

Tajul urged the city mayors to ensure the approval is hassle-free and no one faces difficulties. "The corporation should also monitor the establishments under construction on a regular basis."

The meeting discussed the measures taken by city corporations to minimise  waterlogging in the cities of Dhaka and Chattogram.

"Dhaka city has many bridges with no navigation facilities. To ensure an operational water transportation system on city canals, the government has decided to demolish such bridges and build new ones. We will also renovate the canals and connect them," the minister said, adding that there would be walkways on both sides of canals. 

"I hope the waterlogging problem can be minimised within this year."

Mentioning that canal land grabbing was one of the key reasons for the waterlogging, he said the two city corporations of Dhaka were demolishing the illegal establishments and the drive would continue.

He urged the mayors to take stern action to protect the public interest.

Regarding waterlogging in the port city of Chattogram, the LGRD minister asked for a sub-committee headed by Local Government Division Additional Secretary, Muhammad Ibrahim.

Dhaka South City Corporation Mayor Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh, Dhaka North City Corporation Mayor Md Atiqul Islam, Chattogram City Corporation Mayor Md Rezaul Karim Chowdhury, and senior ministry officials were present at the event.