Multi-storied bldgs being built defying rules

RAJSHAHI: Many of the multi-storied buildings, being built in Rajshahi metropolis particularly the non-government ones, are not following the rules of Rajshahi City Corporation (RCC) and the Rajshahi Development Authority (RDA).
As a result of construction of those multi-storied buildings without following the rules and regulations of RCC and RDA, many construction workers and pedestrians are falling victims to accidents.
According to the sources concerned, the under construction multi-storied building should be covered with nets so that no construction materials fall on the pedestrians or the construction workers accidentally on the ground. But none of them is following the rules in Rajshahi.
As a result, construction workers of those buildings are working risking their lives.
At the same time, as many of those buildings being built at the busy crossings and important points like markets and mosques in the city, pedestrians moving close to those might fall victim to accident.
A construction worker, identified as Abul Akhter Babu (24) was killed when a portion of an under construction three storied building collapsed on him in Tikapara area in the city recently.
Another construction worker named Mobarak (55) died when he fell from an under construction six- storied building in Kadirganj area. Injuries caused by collapse of such under construction buildings are also frequent in Rajshahi.
It is alleged that RDA, RCC and the Department of Fire Service and Civil Defense (FSCD) are not active enough to supervise strictly during the construction of a building.
ABM Ferdous, Assistant Director of Rajshahi Fire Services and Civil Defense said it is necessary to take permission from the department of FSCD before construction of any building.
But, no one cares for that and even RDA is approving building designs and plans without any permission from FSCD.
Ashraful Haque, chief engineer of Rajshahi City Corporation, said it is mandatory for everyone to follow the building construction code in public interest.
He also said the construction of multi-storied buildings is a recent trend in Rajshahi that is why it is time to force the owners and makers of those buildings to follow the building codes strictly.
Ashraful further said there is no regulation to punish the violators of building code and the RCC cannot punish anyone in this connection. But, he said, RDA and police might play an important role in this connection.
He said only building code rules are not sufficient; rather, there has to be a close monitoring of the concerned authorities during the entire construction period.
RDA sources said there was no such provision in the building code to procure permission from any other department, though, during the approval of the construction of buildings, terms and conditions are being applied to take precautionary measures during the construction works of a multi-storied building.

Multi-storied bldgs being built defying rules

RAJSHAHI: Many of the multi-storied buildings, being built in Rajshahi metropolis particularly the non-government ones, are not following the rules of Rajshahi City Corporation (RCC) and the Rajshahi Development Authority (RDA). As a result of construction of those multi-storied buildings without following the rules and regulations of RCC and RDA, many construction workers and pedestrians are falling victims to accidents. According to the sources concerned, the under construction multi-storied building should be covered with nets so that no construction materials fall on the pedestrians or the construction workers accidentally on the ground. But none of them is following the rules in Rajshahi. As a result, construction workers of those buildings are working risking their lives. At the same time, as many of those buildings being built at the busy crossings and important points like markets and mosques in the city, pedestrians moving close to those might fall victim to accident. A construction worker, identified as Abul Akhter Babu (24) was killed when a portion of an under construction three storied building collapsed on him in Tikapara area in the city recently. Another construction worker named Mobarak (55) died when he fell from an under construction six- storied building in Kadirganj area. Injuries caused by collapse of such under construction buildings are also frequent in Rajshahi. It is alleged that RDA, RCC and the Department of Fire Service and Civil Defense (FSCD) are not active enough to supervise strictly during the construction of a building. ABM Ferdous, Assistant Director of Rajshahi Fire Services and Civil Defense said it is necessary to take permission from the department of FSCD before construction of any building. But, no one cares for that and even RDA is approving building designs and plans without any permission from FSCD. Ashraful Haque, chief engineer of Rajshahi City Corporation, said it is mandatory for everyone to follow the building construction code in public interest. He also said the construction of multi-storied buildings is a recent trend in Rajshahi that is why it is time to force the owners and makers of those buildings to follow the building codes strictly. Ashraful further said there is no regulation to punish the violators of building code and the RCC cannot punish anyone in this connection. But, he said, RDA and police might play an important role in this connection. He said only building code rules are not sufficient; rather, there has to be a close monitoring of the concerned authorities during the entire construction period. RDA sources said there was no such provision in the building code to procure permission from any other department, though, during the approval of the construction of buildings, terms and conditions are being applied to take precautionary measures during the construction works of a multi-storied building.