Editorial
Formation of taskforce welcome
It must produce results, help raise safety standards of Dhaka city
IT is welcome news that the government has decided to form two task forces: the first one will deal with the problem of highly combustible chemicals being stored in residential buildings, particularly in old Dhaka, while the second taskforce will handle the issue of illegally built high-rises which pose a grave threat to city dwellers.
The Nimtoli tragedy has laid bare the harsh truth that certain parts of the city have buildings and structures that should have been demolished a long ago. Apart from being dilapidated, these buildings do not have minimum facilities to protect the residents against fire and other hazards. Unfortunately, many of the buildings in new Dhaka are also a source of great worry. Safety regulations incorporated in the Building Code were overlooked for cutting costs and the owners were oblivious of the danger associated with building high-rises in an unplanned way. Furthermore, substandard materials were used which weakened the structures to the point where some of them are now caving in.
There is no doubt that the owners and all others involved in construction of such buildings are to be blamed and brought to justice for violating the rules. But can we condone Rajuk officials in charge of approving plans and supervising the construction process? After all, these building were not constructed in a week or month. Where were those officials when the owners were engaged in illegal construction of buildings? Their fault seems to be fundamental.
The government has rightly decided to form the task forces. However, the government should make their terms of reference and the progress they make from time to time known to the public. It must also ensure that the job of identifying weak structures and preventing storing of dangerous substances in residential areas do not turn out to be a long drawn out affair. The task forces must also guard against the initiative losing steam well before the target is achieved, as it will have to cross certain hurdles. Such apprehensions are not baseless, given the fact that many such good moves produced no results in the past, because they were not pursued to their logical conclusion. The problems returned with a vengeance.
The task forces have to be duly empowered to attain their goals. A host of legal questions might arise. However, people must be made to understand that nothing is more precious than human life and also that it is suicidal to stay in a structure that may collapse any time. Similarly, there should be a total ban on keeping combustible chemicals in densely populated areas. It is more than a question of enforcing the law; it is a matter of saving human lives threatened by hazardous, irresponsible practices.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel.
Comments