The government has formed a seven-member advisory committee to oversee the implementation of the Detailed Area Plan (DAP) by Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (Rajuk). A notification regarding the formation of the committee was issued by the Cabinet division. Led by the Adviser to the Land Ministry, the other members of the committee are advisers from the Ministries of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs, Housing and Public Works, Power, Energy and Mineral Resources, Road Transport and Bridges, Environment, Forest and Climate Change and Local Government, Rural Development and Co-operatives Ministries. The committee is also responsible for proposing amendments where necessary and has the authority to co-opt members as required. ACC sues Benazir, Matiur, family members  Besides, secretaries from the Road Transport and Highways Division, Land Ministry, Environment, Forest and Climate Change Ministry, Housing and Public Works Ministry, Power Division, Railways Ministry, Law and Justice Division, Local Government Division, and Bridge Division will assist the committee in its work.  

Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh, has seen rapid and often unplanned urbanisation since independence. The city’s average annual urban growth rate was as high as 8% from 1991 to 2019. The rapid unplanned and unregulated urban expansion has continued to date. As Dhaka is expanding in terms of physical dimension, population, and structural density, the city suffers from diverse problems like water crises, drainage problems after heavy rains, poor solid waste disposal, inadequate infrastructure, fire accidents, etc. In recent years recurrent fire hazards have claimed many lives and destroyed valuable properties in Dhaka metropolitan areas. Let’s look at the existing fire safety regulations, and necessary recommendations to prevent fire hazards and mitigate losses in Dhaka city.   Rules and Regulations Regarding Fire Safety in Dhaka City  The Government of Bangladesh (GoB) have enacted several laws regarding fire safety such as Building Construction Rules 1996, Bangladesh National Building Code 2006, The Fire Prevention and Extinction Act, 2003, and The Fire Prevention and Extinction Rules, 2014.  According to section 4 of the Fire Prevention and Extinction Act 2003, it is mandatory to obtain a licence from the Directorate General of Bangladesh Fire Service and Civil Defense Authority (BFSCDA) to use any building as a warehouse or workshop. Section 7 of the Act necessitates the permission of the BFSCDA DG during the approval process of the structural design or layout of a multi-storied commercial building.  The Fire Protection Act 2003 requires all buildings, including high-rises and commercial establishments to take necessary public security measures including storing sufficient fire-fighting equipment, breathing apparatus, etc.  Rule 22 of the Fire Prevention and Extinction Rules 2014 states that an owner has to apply for an occupancy certificate of the building at the end of the construction.  Rule 17(1) of the Building Construction Rules 1996 requires public safety measures, such as fire alarms, emergency exits, installation of fire extinguishers, etc.  The building code prohibits the construction of any building over six stories without an elevator with a standby generator. Moreover, any high-rise structure with 10 stories or higher should have elevators spacious enough to carry patients on stretchers.  Read more: Organizational strategies to minimize earthquake damages in Dhaka City Why is Dhaka Prone to Fire Disasters?    Dhaka experienced several disastrous fire hazards, such as Nimtoli, Churihatta, FR Tower, Armanitola, New Market, Moghbazar, Bangabazar Market, Bailey Road, etc. Besides these major fire accidents, many small to medium-scale fire hazards have occurred in the residential and commercial buildings of the city in recent years. Now the question arises as to why Dhaka is prone to fire disasters.  Limitations in Legal Framework and Limited Institutional Capacity Bangladesh’s existing legal provisions regarding fire safety are limited and need to be modified. The fire prevention acts, rules, and regulations are not properly implemented in Dhaka city.  Currently, BFSCDA is working as an emergency service-providing organisation with limited involvement in the planning decision.  The number of fire stations and fire service providers in Dhaka city is still inadequate. Furthermore, long-distance travelling by firefighters hamper the timely provision of support to fire-affected areas in many cases.   The city authorities such as Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (RAJUK), City Corporations, etc. are also characterised by weak institutional capacity.  In the process of getting approval for the building plan, the building owners collect the licence. However, there is a lack of proper monitoring from the authorities over the implementation of the fire prevention arrangements and public safety conditions. At present, many buildings are being constructed in Dhaka without fire licences or even planning permissions from RAJUK.  The city authorities need adequate numbers of town planners and fire safety professionals to serve the Dhaka Metropolitan Area inhabited by about 23.9 million people.  Read more: What Can Dhaka Learn from the Smart City Singapore Unplanned Development Dhaka city is growing in an unplanned manner. In different areas of the city high rise structures are being built within the old building blocks. Most of these buildings lack essential arrangements for safeguarding people from fire hazards initiated by electric short circuits, gas cylinder explosions, etc.  The narrow road systems obstruct the entrance, movement and manoeuvre of fire service vehicles at the time of emergency. The low vehicle mobility on the road system due to traffic gridlock increases the response time of the fire service leading to serious destruction from minor fire incidents.  The existence of water retention ponds, lakes, and natural reservoirs is gradually decreasing in different areas of Dhaka city due to excessive population pressure, and unplanned urbanisation. Many water bodies and open spaces are being encroached upon by unauthorised uses and getting filled up for the construction of buildings. During fire hazards, the fire service providers often face scarcity of water due to lack of street fire hydrant arrangement and unavailability of natural water sources at nearby locations.  Besides these, proper land use zoning is yet to be implemented in Dhaka City. The intermixing of residential, commercial, and industrial uses in the same location increases the risk of fire occurrences.  Furthermore, in many areas of Dhaka, FAR rules are not maintained properly which makes the city more disaster-prone.  Read more: A city of fire traps: Decades of tragedies in Dhaka expose systemic failures Some Recommendations to Mitigate Fire Hazards in Dhaka City Fire hazard prevention measures are multi-dimensional. It requires a proper combination of the strong legal and administrative framework, adequate funding, organised institutional capacities, advanced technologies, trained manpower, information dissemination, etc. Let’s look at how to enhance the resilience of Dhaka city from some key perspectives. Raising Public Awareness  Public awareness can minimise the risk of fire incidences and the associated destruction of lives and properties.  During a fire hazard, people usually become very worried and confused. As a result, many people fail to make appropriate decisions to escape from fire. This causes the loss of lives.  Electric short circuits, burners, gas cylinder explosions, etc are the major causes of fire hazards in Dhaka City. Information sharing regarding the causes and preventive measures of fire hazards can raise awareness among city dwellers.  Though some individual buildings have fire fighting equipment, they are inadequate in number. In many cases, the fire safety equipment is located in isolated places and people hardly know how to use it. As a result, the safety equipment can’t provide any benefit at the time of a fire emergency.  In many cases, during fire hazards, curious crowds block the roads, as a result, the firefighting vehicles take longer times to reach the target locations during the time of response. 

A special satellite imagery is being developed to determine where trees should be planted in Dhaka to improve urban greenery and sustainability. In an exclusive interview with UNB, Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Saber Hossain Chowdhury shared details about the plan, emphasizing collaboration among various government departments. “To develop a comprehensive afforestation plan for Dhaka, we are working in coordination with the Local Government Division, the Ministry of Public Works, the Ministry of Health, RAJUK, and both city corporations,” the minister said. He elaborated, “We are strategizing on which areas of Dhaka we can reforest and what types of trees we can plant, in collaboration with the aforementioned departments. Discussions have already been held with the mayors of both Dhaka city corporations, and we have started our work.” Bonayan to distribute 5 million saplings for World Environment Day The minister highlighted the loss of green spaces and water bodies in Dhaka, stressing the need to incorporate these elements into urban development plans. “A healthy and liveable city requires a certain level of greenery. Areas with more trees tend to have lower temperatures, which is why we aim to implement an urban forestry project in Dhaka to maintain tolerable temperature levels.” He also noted that satellite images specifically for Dhaka are being created to guide the tree planting process effectively. “We can determine the percentage of green spaces needed, but we are unsure how much of the global standards we can effectively implement in Bangladesh, especially in a densely populated city like Dhaka. We are already making some progress in this regard,” he added. 25% of total land area by 2030: Bangladesh sets ambitious tree cover expansion goal The environment minister emphasized the critical role of climate action plans in creating a cleaner, greener, and more vibrant Dhaka. Despite having two city corporations, the climate action plan will be implemented as a unified strategy for the entire city. This approach aims to mitigate the impacts of climate change in the urban area, home to over 20 million people. He further mentioned that coordination among ministries will be enhanced to tackle climate change effectively. Reiterating his strong support for Dhaka’s climate action plan, the minister committed to working closely with all stakeholders to ensure a bright and green future for Dhaka and the entire country. He called on development partner countries to support Bangladesh in its fight against climate change. He also mentioned, “We believe we can meet the minimum environmental requirements. Failing to do so will compromise Dhaka’s liveability.” 8.33 crore trees to be planted this year during monsoon: Environment secretary Referring to the RAJUK’s Purbachal project, the minister pointed out that a significant portion of land, 140 acres, has been reserved for afforestation. “This area has been specifically set aside for forestation, but if the entire region becomes concrete, we will lose the opportunity to create green spaces,” he cautioned.

Following the devastating fire incident at the Green Cozy Cottage building on Bailey Road that killed 46 people and injured several others, authorities in Dhaka have launched a crackdown on restaurants lacking proper fire safety measures. Restaurant owners, however, are critical of the approach.  The Restaurant Owners Association has labelled these operations as “harassment” and “for show”, lacking in coordination. The operations, according to the association, seem to target the restaurant industry unfairly, calling for a more integrated approach to address safety violations. Professor Dr. Adil Muhammad Khan, President of the Bangladesh Institute of Planners, criticized the sporadic nature of these operations, arguing for regular and coordinated efforts. He highlighted the injustice in arresting restaurant workers for building faults, suggesting that the responsibility lies with RAJUK (the development authority) officials and building owners before considering the tenants such as restaurant operators. Entry-level women's recruitment doubles in banking sector, but board representation still lagging Imran Hasan, General Secretary of the Restaurant Owners Association, expressed the sector's frustrations over the lack of support from any ministry despite repeated pleas. He called for a meeting with the Prime Minister, signaling their readiness to shut down operations if found culpable.  However, he questioned the logic behind blanket closures, arguing for a constructive resolution. Around 200 restaurants in Dhaka have been closed, he said, raising concerns about the crackdown. Currently, Bangladesh houses approximately 481,000 restaurants, providing employment for 30 lakh people, the general secretary of Restaurant Owners Association said. He also underlined the struggles with bureaucratic red tape and the desperation for constructive dialogue and solutions. Hasan called for the Prime Minister's intervention, reflecting the dire situation of entrepreneurs and workers within the industry, whose livelihoods are at stake. Fire safety: How safe are the restaurants in Dhaka’s upscale areas? The opposition's Chief Whip, Mujibul Haque Chunnu, has also alleged lack of coordination in the drives against risky and unauthorized buildings operating amid fire risk. “A magistrate went and destroyed a shop. Another goes and says stop. The authorities need to take a concerted, slow and steady approach in conducting fire safety drives,” he said while participating in an unscheduled discussion in the Parliament last Tuesday. RAJUK's Chairman, Anisur Rahman Mia, meanwhile has announced plans to list at-risk buildings, intending to mark them clearly and disconnect utilities in coordination with service providers, emphasizing the need for collaboration among various agencies for effective regulation. This situation sheds light on the complexities of urban safety, regulatory enforcement, and the livelihoods dependent on sectors like dining, calling for balanced, fair, and coordinated efforts to ensure public safety without unjustly jeopardizing businesses and jobs. Read more: Why Fire Safety Audit is Essential for Commercial Buildings

In the heart of Dhaka’s upscale neighbourhoods – Dhanmondi, Gulshan, and Banani – a burgeoning restaurant scene thrives within the confines of multi-storey buildings. This rapid expansion, however, brings to light grave concerns over fire safety practices, or the lack thereof. Many of these dining establishments lack comprehensive fire safety measures, relying solely on elevators and a solitary staircase for emergency exits. This inadequate infrastructure places patrons and employees in a precarious position, with their safety hanging in the balance. Conversations with residents of these areas shed light on these alarming realities, further underscored by the recent tragedy on Bailey Road, which has sown seeds of fear and apprehension among diners. The indiscriminate sprouting of restaurants, many of which have been operating without fire safety licenses for years, exacerbates the risk. These establishments, often housed in structures originally intended for residential use, now serve commercial purposes, thereby complicating the fire safety landscape. This issue is not confined to a few isolated cases; nearly every alley in these areas is lined with cafes and restaurants, with some buildings entirely dedicated to these businesses. The architectural design, characterised by an extensive use of glass, restricts the inflow of air, and in the event of a fire, leaves breaking the glass as the only means to combat the flames. The structural layout presents further challenges for emergency evacuation. Narrow staircases, cluttered or locked, significantly hinder the ability of patrons to evacuate safely in case of an emergency, turning what should be a straightforward escape route into a potential trap. Read more: Why Fire Safety Audit is Essential for Commercial Buildings The fear of fire is not an abstract concern for the residents of Gulshan and Banani. Moniruzzaman, a businessman from Gulshan, and Didarul Haq Sunny, another businessman from Banani, voiced their apprehensions about dining out in the post-Bailey Road fire era. “There’s a prevailing fear of taking families to restaurants in the Gulshan-Banani area, as it’s unclear which establishments have fire safety measures,” Moniruzzaman said. Didarul mentioned ceasing restaurant visits after the Bailey Road tragedy, citing fire safety as a major concern. Their concerns highlight a critical demand for Dhaka’s development authority, RAJUK, to enforce and oversee rigorous fire safety standards across all restaurants. Professor Dr. Adil Muhammad Khan, President of the Bangladesh Institute of Planners (BIP), echoed these sentiments. He pointed to the widespread practice of converting entire buildings into dining spaces, enveloped in glass, which fundamentally compromises fire safety protocols. The aftermath of the Bailey Road tragedy has left a palpable sense of urgency among citizens and experts alike, calling for immediate action from RAJUK and other relevant authorities to mitigate the risk of future incidents. Read more: Petition filed seeking closure of restaurants in residential buildings Dr. Adil advocated for detailed inspections of fire safety equipment, such as fire extinguishers and alarms, and insisted on comprehensive safety audits for all multi-storey and specially purposed buildings. Despite existing regulations mandating two staircases in buildings, the reality on the ground reveals a stark misuse of these provisions, with designated fire exits often repurposed as storage areas. This blatant disregard for safety norms necessitates a stringent enforcement of building codes and fire safety regulations. RAJUK’s Chairman, Anisur Rahman Mia, acknowledged the challenges at hand, committing to a series of actions aimed at identifying and rectifying establishments lacking in fire safety measures. He drew attention to the widespread issue of illegal commercial activities within residential buildings, underscoring RAJUK’s dedication to enforcing legal and safety standards. With over 517,000 buildings under its jurisdiction in Dhaka, of which only 200,000 are approved, RAJUK faces a daunting task. An astonishing 90% of the approved buildings deviated from their original designs, complicating the enforcement of fire safety and building codes, the public agency says. Read more: A city of fire traps: Decades of tragedies in Dhaka expose systemic failures

A writ petition was filed with the High Court seeking its directives to close all restaurants in residential buildings in Dhaka including on Bailey Road. Supreme Court lawyer Eunus Ali Akond filed the writ petition with the High Court bench concerned on Sunday (March 03, 2024). Besides, the petition also sought directives to provide compensation to the family members of the deceased and injured in the Bailey Road fire and arrest of those responsible in the fire incident. Read more: A city of fire traps: Decades of tragedies in Dhaka expose systemic failures Meanwhile, a Supreme Court lawyer Advocate Israt Zahan Santona filed another writ petition with the High Court bench concerned seeking judicial investigation into the deadly fire at Green Cozy Cottage Building on Bailey Road that claimed the lives of 46 people. The petitions will move to the HC bench of Justice Naima Haider and Justice Kazi Zinat Hoque. Secretaries to the Public Works Ministry, Cabinet Division, Home Ministry, Inspector General of Police, Chairman of Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (Rajuk), nayors of Dhaka North and South city corporations were made responsible in the writ petitions. Read more: Why Fire Safety Audit is Essential for Commercial Buildings On Thursday night, a massive fire broke out at a building on Dhaka's Bailey Road leaving at least 46 people dead and injuring dozens of people. Later, a case was filed with Ramna police station.

In Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh, the history of fire incidents stretches back decades, with each tragedy laying bare the systemic failures of monitoring and enforcement by the authorities. The recurrence of these incidents, resulting in loss of lives and property, highlights a persistent cycle of negligence and a lack of proper supervision by the concerned agencies, including the Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (RAJUK) and the Fire Service and Civil Defence. This pattern was tragically underscored by the recent blaze at a building housing several restaurants on Bailey Road, which claimed 46 lives, marking yet another dark chapter in Dhaka’s ongoing saga of preventable disasters. The Bailey Road catastrophe is not an isolated incident but a continuation of Dhaka’s grim legacy of fire tragedies. Experts point to a systemic lack of accountability and supervision, with buildings across the capital flouting fire safety norms and regulations. Read more: Firefighters faced difficulties dousing fire at Krishi Market due to overcrowding: Fire Service Director The construction of these structures often violates directives from the Fire Service and Civil Defence, lacking essential fire prevention measures such as alarms, adequate water supplies, and fire extinguishing systems. The result is a cityscape riddled with potential fire traps, posing a constant threat to its inhabitants. Professor Dr. Adil Muhammad Khan, President of the Bangladesh Institute of Planners (BIP), asserted that the frequent fires could be significantly reduced if the authorities took decisive action against those responsible for the lax approval and supervision of building constructions, and against building owners who neglect fire safety standards. Dr. Khan emphasised that accountability must extend to RAJUK, the building owners, and even the tenants who, fully aware of the risks, continue to occupy these unsafe spaces. Bailey Road Fire: 4 inc. Kacchi Bhai’s manager remanded for two days The recurrence of fire incidents is further compounded by the failure to follow up on investigations after each tragedy. Dhaka has borne witness to several catastrophic fires, including those at Nimtoli, Churihatta, FR Tower, Armanitola, New Market, Moghbazar, and the latest disaster at Bailey Road. These incidents share common threads: mismanagement, the utilisation of risky multi-storied buildings, and a glaring lack of proper supervision, with many buildings operating without the requisite approvals from RAJUK and other regulatory bodies. Despite repeated pledges from various quarters to transform Dhaka into a risk-free city, these promises have largely gone unfulfilled. Each tragic fire fades from public memory, only to be replaced by the next, in a seemingly endless cycle of devastation. This cycle is exacerbated by the mixed use of residential and commercial buildings, which Dr. Khan identified as a critical risk factor propelling the capital towards further disaster. An example of this perilous overlap is the Green Cozy Cottage Building on Bailey Road. Despite approvals specifying that only the ground through fourth floors could be used commercially, with the fifth and sixth floors designated for residential purposes, the building predominantly housed restaurants, a clear breach of urban planning and building laws. Dr. Khan advocated for treating such egregious violations, like the Bailey Road fire, as criminal acts, attributing them to the negligence of RAJUK and other service agencies. Read more: Why Fire Safety Audit is Essential for Commercial Buildings The aftermath of the Bailey Road tragedy has seen calls for comprehensive measures, including the online registration of buildings with detailed usage information, and the public display of notices issued by the government against non-compliant building owners. Ashraful Islam, the project director of the Detailed Area Plan (DAP) of RAJUK, clarified that the Bailey Road building was authorized only for office use, not for restaurants and showrooms, underscoring the illegal operations that contributed to the tragedy.

Bangladesh isn’t new to fire accidents. In the last several years, the country has seen some devastating fire accidents that claimed the lives of hundreds and destroyed millions in property. The recent fire in Dhaka’s busy Bailey Road which claimed the lives of 46 individuals only resonates with the helplessness and despondency left behind by the tragedy. Every fire incident brings forth the question of fire safety audit or lack thereof. Because a tangible and thorough audit could’ve saved the 46 precious human lives and the many more we’ve lost thus far.  What is a Fire Safety Audit?  A fire safety audit is the systematic process of examining the compliance and preparedness of a building in the wake of a fire accident. The primary purpose of such audits is to identify potential hazards, evaluate the effectiveness of existing safety measures, and ensure that the building is equipped to handle emergencies, particularly fires.  These audits are typically conducted by qualified professionals, such as fire safety engineers or specialists, and may involve collaboration with local fire departments or regulatory authorities. In the case of Bangladesh, the primary regulatory body includes RAJUK (for Dhaka city), city corporations, and the Fire Service and Civil Defense department. Read more: Fire Safety Tips for Parents to Keep Children Safe A fire safety audit considers the following points of action:  - Existing fire protection system - Construction and design of the building - Emergency evacuation channels - Electrical and mechanical compliance - Documentation - Compliance with building codes - Risk assessment - Overall security measures  Why Fire Safety Audit is Essential for Commercial Buildings Safety of the Occupants  The first and foremost reason for a fire and life safety audit is the safety of the occupants. A comprehensive audit helps to understand whether there is any structural flaw that might potentially be life-threatening for the occupants. It also helps to assess the preparedness of the occupants in case of an emergency and even educate them about the same.  Read more: Fire Safety in Apartments: Causes and Prevention Compliance with the Building Code  Fire safety audits can help to assess whether the building has been constructed in line with the proper building code. Compliance with the building code goes beyond the scope of just a legal requirement. It ensures that the building and its occupants have safety measures in place should there be any hazardous accidents.  One of the common building codes concerning fire safety is the construction of a fire exit and a second staircase. According to the city corporation, any building over five stories should have a second staircase. RAJUK puts the limit up to the tenth floor. The Fire Prevention and Fire Fighting Act of Bangladesh regulates that any building over six stories should have an emergency fire exit. 

The Appellate Division on Monday (January 22, 2024) upheld the High Court order that ordered demolition of the Gulshan Shopping Centre in Dhaka's Gulshan-1 within 30 days. A five-member bench of the Appellate Division, led by Chief Justice Obaidul Hassan, passed the order following a petition filed by the owners challenging the HC order. In July 2023, two companies namely Bani Chitra and Films filed a writ seeking the HC directive to demolish Gulshan Shopping Centre citing safety concerns. HC issues rule on inaction of the authorities to control fireworks and lanterns Following the writ, on Dec 13, the HC bench of Justice Mustafa Zaman Islam and Justice Md Ataullah ordered the demolition of the center within a month. Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC), Rajuk and others were asked to implement this directive. On July 13, 2023, Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) in a mobile court drive sealed off the shopping centre as it was found risky. HC orders Dhaka court to hear bail pleas of Mirza Abbas, Annie Regional Executive Officer and Executive Magistrate Zulkar Nayan and Executive Magistrate Md Mahbub Hasan conducted the mobile court. In 2021, the Department of Fire Service and Civil Defence declared the market risky and abandoned due to the dilapidated building and lack of fire fighting system and sent a letter to the DNCC to take legal action regarding the issue on an urgent basis. Young woman gang-raped while looking for rented home in Ctg; 1 arrested Zulkar Nayan, regional executive officer and executive magistrate of Zone-3, said, "The shop owners were instructed repeatedly to vacate the building to prevent any kind of humanitarian disaster as the Gulshan-1 shopping centre is risky, but they did not vacate it."

The work to install underground cables has been completed in Hatirjheel area, although subsequent road repairs necessitated by the project are progressing slowly. According to official sources, both the Power Grid Company of Bangladesh (PGCB) and Dhaka Power Distribution Company Ltd (DPDC) completed their work in September and deposited their required money to the Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (Rajuk) to repair the roads as per rule. Sources said that recently a Rajuk-appointed contractor has started the road repair works but it’s going on at a very slow pace. The DPDC and PGCB have laid the high voltage underground cables through digging the roads in the area to replace their overhead cables at the Hatirjheel lake. The DPDC first completed its part of the work in June, and then the PGCB’s work was completed in September, said the sources in the PGCB. PGCB officials said after completion of the works, the Rajuk will repair the roads as the area is under its jurisdiction. Underground power cabling works at Hatirjheel: Commuters’ ordeal unlikely to end soon