The Department of Fire Service and Civil Defence claimed it had nothing to do after preparing a list of risky buildings as building owners don’t care about the letters of the fire safety body.
On the other hand, RAJUK, City Corporation and other organisations are responsible for taking action for breaching fire rules at an establishment.
However, urban planners and fire experts do not agree with the fire service. They said the fire service is providing licenses to business organisations. On the other hand, RAJUK said a coordinated initiative has been taken with the fire service and other organisations. They would go for action from the next week.
Brigadier General (retd) Abu Nayeem Md Shahidullah, former director general of Fire Service and Civil Defense, said, “We have enough laws but lack of application. Every organization is given a license to construct a building. If any occurrence happens, one organization gives the responsibility to another organization.
It is known that 58 markets are at risk. Of these, 9 nine are higher-risk buildings. Besides, 14 are moderately risky and 35 buildings are risky.
Md Ashraful Islam, chief town planner of Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (RAJUK) said, “Fire service does not submit its list to us. We have made a list of 691 buildings in the capital after the fire incident at Siddique Bazar last year. We have recently visited 20 risky markets and made them verbal notice. The drive will start from this week.”
Fire Service and Civil Defence Director (Operation) Lt Col Mohammad Tajul Islam Chowdhury said the jurisdiction of the fire service is very limited. It has no enforcing and regulation capacity.
“The government has not given us the power to seal off an establishment. Many people are doing business without a license. The police don’t say anything. The country has thousands of buildings without fire exits,” he added.
Bangladesh Paribesh Andolan (BAPA) joint secretary Architect Iqbal Habib told Bangladesh Pratidin that the Department of Fire Service and Civil Defence has of course power as it provides a license. But RAJUK, City Corporation, the Department of Environment, and the Department of Explosives can’t avoid the responsibility of the fire incidents. Fire incidents couldn’t be controlled due to the negligence of the market authority.
Meanwhile, businessmen claimed they have formed a committee to save from the fire and are increasing security personnel including firefighters. They are testing the work capacity of fire extinguishers. Police have also increased their monitoring of every market to ensure fire safety.
According to the Department of Fire Service and Civil Defence, Rajdhani Supermarket is the listed high-risk market in the capital. This market has over 750 shops. Rest high risky markets are -- Gawsia Market at New Market, Barisal Plaza at Fulbaria, Rajdhani and New Rajdhani Super Market, Alauddin Market at Chakbazar, Shakil Anwar Tower, Shahidullah Market, Sharif Market at Sadarghat, Maya Katara (22 Market), and Roslyn Vista at Siddique Bazar.
Moderate risky buildings are -- Alam Super Market at Zurain, Uttara Market at Khilgaon, Saleha Shopping Complex at Demra, Monu Mollah Shopping Complex, London Plaza Shopping Mall at Dohar, AK Famous Tower at Wari, Rose Valley Shopping Mall, Meher Plaza at New Market, Priyangon Shopping Center on Mirpur Road, New Chistia Market, Nehar Bhaban, Eastern Mollika Shopping Complex at Elephant Road, Ismail Mansion Supermarket, and Subastu Aroma Shopping Mall.
Risky buildings are -- Buriganga Setu Market at Zurain, Taltola City Corporation Super Market at Khilgaon, City Corporation Kitchen Market at Khilgaon, Tilpapara Minar Mosjid Market, Haji Hossain Plaza at Demra, Islam Plaza, New Market at Demra, Ayesha Shopping Complex at Dohar, A Hakim Complex, Sharif Complex at Nawabganj, Bacchu Mia Complex at Mirpur, Dreamware at Kafrul, Asian Shopping Complex at Mirpur-1, Muktijuddha Super Market, Fair Plaza, Shepal Enterprise Limited at Tejgaon, Civil Engineer Limited, Nasa Mainland, Zakaria Mansion, Haji Abdul Maleque Mansion at Lalbagh, Epyllion Group Holdings Limited at Wari, Globe Shopping Centre at Mirpur, Chandrima Super Market on Mirpur Road, Chandni Chowk Market, New Super Market, Nurjahan Super Market, Hazrat Babu Shah Hawkers Market, Islamia Book Market at Nilkhet, Fulbaria Super Market-1 at Gulistan, Hannan Mansion at Siddique Bazar, City Plaza Fulbaria Super Market-2, Nagar Plaza at Gulistan, Rose Marinus Market at Siddique Market, and Duku Tower at Siddique Bazar.
@ The article was published on print and online versions of The Bangladesh Pratidin on March 3, 2024 and has been rewritten in English by Golam Rosul.
