Rajuk strike teams on the prowl for building offences

Following the recent fire incident at FR Tower in Banani, Rajdhani Unnyan Katripakkha (Rajuk), is assigning 24 teams to inspect and find buildings that violate rules and regulations.

The teams will be starting work from Monday.

Rajuk held a directional meeting at its auditorium on Sunday where Minister of Housing and Public Works, SM Rezaul Karim, announced the inspection program.

He said: “We will take strict action against any and every building that violates regulations.

“From Monday onwards, 24 Rajuk teams will work to this end.”

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He said that from 1996 to 2008, there were no building regulations that said fire extinguishers need to be kept in buildings or garages.

“We will adjust those rules accordingly, to ensure fire safety,” SM Rezaul Karim said.

The meeting aimed to take and encourage steps to improve the state of fire safety in the city.

Tenants advised to practice caution

SM Rezaul Karim advised tenants to be careful when renting apartments.

“Check to see if the building you are renting in, has proper fire safety measures in place. Make sure the building has emergency exits. If not, then do not rent those homes for your own safety.”

He mentioned that when the investigation report is complete, it will be presented to the public via mass media.

“Earlier, when an accident occurred, we would only take action against building owners and developers. Now we have decided to hold the pertinent authorities accountable as well.”

Housing and Public Works Secretary Shahid Ulla Khandaker, Chief Engineer of the Public Works Department, Md Shahadat Hossain, Rajuk Chairman Abdur Rahman and many other officials from the Ministry of Housing and Public Works, and Rajuk, attended the program.