Safety beyond building handover

Tanvir Ahmed
Managing Director
Sheltech Group

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“Too many buildings in this country are safe on the day of delivery and neglected for the next 20 years. A developer’s responsibility should not end when the keys change hands; we must stay accountable.”

Since its inception in 1988, Sheltech Group has been a cornerstone of Bangladesh’s real estate sector, delivering homes to over 23,000 families with a remarkable 99.3 per cent on-time handover rate. Guided by the promise “Your Dream, Our Pledge,” the company was recently recognised as the Most Sustainable Real Estate Company of the Year by the SDG Brand Champion Award 2025.

The Daily Star (TDS): As Bangladesh’s urban landscape grows denser, how is your company redefining safety standards?

Tanvir Ahmed (TA): Our city became dense faster than our safety culture matured. At Sheltech, we close that gap by ensuring lawful land use and following the Bangladesh National Building Code (BNBC) strictly. However, the most critical part comes after handover.. We provide structured after-sales support and technical inspections through “Sheltech Service Month”. A developer’s responsibility should not end when the keys change hands; we stay accountable to the communities we build.

TDS: How is your company integrating sustainability and climate-resilient design into its projects?

TA: Sustainability starts with design fundamentals like natural light and cross-ventilation—buildings that breathe. A flat that cools itself is greener and kinder to a family’s budget. Where feasible, we add rainwater harvesting, solar panels, and landscaped rooftops. We also believe sustainable development must be inclusive, so our projects include ramps and accessibility features. Sustainability for us is not a marketing feature; it is how we intend to build for the next forty years.

TDS: How are innovations such as BIM and digital monitoring improving quality and efficiency?

TA: We use Building Information Modelling (BIM) to catch clashes between structural and electrical layouts before construction begins, preventing unsafe improvisation on site. Our sites use CCTV monitoring and digital progress tracking so clients can see quality checkpoints in real time. Every inspection and approval is logged digitally, creating a clear audit trail that ensures transparency.

TDS: Looking ahead, what reforms or advancements are essential for the sector to reach global standards?

TA: Bangladesh does not lack policy; we lack consistent implementation. Regulators and agencies should operate on connected digital platforms so compliance records are verified through one unified system. Our sister concern, Envoy Textiles, became the world’s first LEED Platinum denim mill, proving that Bangladeshi companies can set global standards. I am convinced our real estate sector can do the same by making internationally benchmarked buildings the norm.