THE city of over 13 million often turn flooded in almost all of its parts even after a short period of heavy rainfall. It assumes the appearance of a city flood as water fails to drain off for days from choked conditions. Thus, the Detailed Area Plan (DAP) for the city proposed that at least 21 per cent of the city's present and projected areas must be reserved as water bodies where no development activities would be permitted. But this meritorious proposal has triggered anger of the developers who in their meeting with the relevant Ministry on Sunday criticised the State Minister and others for their suggestions in the DAP.
They told the meeting that they would be prepared to go to any lengths to have the DAP changed. Therefore, the responsibility becomes greater for the Ministry and the government to ensure that the Detailed Area Plan under the second master plan for Dhaka city is finalised and implemented. DAP has been drawn up in the interest of a planned Dhaka, to save it from collapse due to all kinds of unregulated activities specially from real estate developers. The best interests of 13 million residents of the city cannot be sacrificed. Even the developers would not be able to ensure safe passage to their clients in the areas developed by them are not well-connected by roads or served by drainage networks.
Notwithstanding the apparent gloss and glitter of its high rise buildings, Dhaka is now a seriously endangered city. The once natural drainage system of the city with its many natural canals plus the surrounding wetlands that also helped the purpose of retention of drained waters and their gradual drainage, are largely things of the past due to encroachment that should stop.
Urban and environment experts who witnessed an unusual loggerhead between the housing minister and land developers said Dhaka city cannot be saved unless the government deals with the developers with an iron hand.
They urged strong and sincere measures to protect the flood-flow zones suggested in the Detail Area Plan (DAP) of Dhaka.
"Unless the prime minister deals with the issue with an iron hand, it will be impossible to save Dhaka," said Prof Jamilur Reza Choudhury, chairman of DAP Review Committee.
The suggestions came a day after land developers blasted State Minister for Housing Abdul Mannan Khan in a meeting over DAP which reserves 21 percent of the capital's land as water bodies where no development will be permitted. Noted urban and environment experts Prof Nazrul Islam, Syeda Rizwana Hasan, Iqbal Habib and some newsmen were present there in that meeting.
In his reaction, Jamilur Reza said land developers have taken control over a good portion of land in flood-flow zones and put signboards there and have been selling plots for years.
"And, now they are showing the audacity at the Secretariat, mobilising support from a state minister," he said, adding that it was very surprising that another MP was so critical of the government.
Ruling Awami League lawmaker Nasrul Hamid Bipu, president of Real Estate and Housing Association of Bangladesh (REHAB) and also chairman of the parliamentary standing committee on the housing ministry joined land developers bashing Rajuk on Sunday.
"It is an absurd and unfortunate incident. No work in the country can be done if things like this continue," Prof Nazrul Islam told The Daily Star.
Terming land developers' attitude unacceptable Syeda Rizwana Hasan, executive director of Bangladesh Environment Lawyers Association, said, "Their attitude shows how blindly the businessmen have been getting support and shelter from the government. Now they don't care anything, even a minister."
Architect Iqbal Habib said the developers with audacious behaviour not only disgraced the people but also the government. It is expected that the government implements the DAP immediately, he added.
Prof Jamilur Reza said the DAP Review Committee report is a continuation work of a gazette notification published in 1997 but the land developers went ahead developing land on flood-flow zones.
The committee in the report concluded that no unapproved project on flood flow zones would be allowed. The Purbachal and Jhilmil Phase-1 projects were approved, he said.
The committee even viewed that some government projects also had non-conformity with DAP, he said.
Prof Nazrul Islam told The Daily Star the state minister for housing has been quite sincere about DAP and the decision was not made by him alone. He said it was done after discussing with all stakeholders and adequate scrutiny.
Syeda Rizwana Hasan, a member of the review committee, said now it is time for the government to prove that it really wants qualitative change in the country.
"If the government is not scared of the developers, they would not change the DAP as per their wish. But for that the government has to take real bold steps," Rizwana said.
http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=142780
Mannan blasts developers
Developers flex their muscles
Land developer leaders yesterday launched into a tirade against State Minister for Housing Abdul Mannan Khan at a meeting on Dhaka development plans.
Don't bow to browbeating, PM tells housing minister
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