Owners of flats in the multi-storey buildings of Uttara Priyanka Runway City, located in a high-risk area for aircraft takeoffs and landings, are now in serious trouble. Among the buyers are various professionals, including actors.
A total of 14 actors and actresses, including the couple Masum Bashar and Mili Bashar, purchased flats in a building named Vertical-2.
Although six buildings in the area have been marked for demolition, 87 buildings have been deemed unsafe, and will all have to be demolished over time.
The Priyanka Runway City, located in the Bauniya area, has 106 flats across its six buildings. Many artists, drawn to the area for its proximity to shooting locations in the nearby Diabari region, had invested in flats in the Vertical-2 building, now facing serious complications.
Landpack Ltd, the developer behind the construction, stated that one of their buildings on Road No. 1 has been identified as risky. Zerin, an official from the company, mentioned that a decision regarding this will be taken by the Priyanka Group.
In conjunction with the construction of a third terminal at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, new tall buildings in the area were identified as a potential obstruction to flight takeoffs and landings.
Priyanka Runway City’s six buildings were singled out, and letters were issued for the demolition of their extensions.
On 22 July last year, a tragic plane crash near Milestone School and College in Uttara claimed the lives of 35 people, further amplifying concerns.
In response, the Civil Aviation Authority has begun reassessing buildings near the airport, and issuing guidelines to ensure safety and compliance with Obstacle Limitation Surfaces (OLS).
Priyanka Group Chairman Saidur Rahman Sajol clarified that the company only sold land and not the buildings themselves. Multiple developers built the apartments and obtained building plan approvals.
If construction deviates from approved plans, the affected buildings will have to be demolished, and the builders will have to pay penalties. If Civil Aviation authorities decide to demolish, those responsible for the development will also bear fines.
An inter-ministerial meeting is scheduled for Monday to determine who will be responsible for compensation, with representatives from RAJUK, the Civil Aviation Authority, the developers, and the flat owners.
Masum Bashar and Mili Bashar, who bought a flat near Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in 2019, fully paid for the property in 2024.
Many others, including actors such as Himu Akram, Saurabh Rahman, Nabila Islam, Chanchal Chowdhury, Shamim Zaman, Niloy, Shyamol Molla, Samia Athoi, Saju Khadem, AKM Hasan, Nazia Hock Arsha, and her husband Mostafizur Noor Imran, also own flats in Vertical-2.
Some of these flats are as large as 1,490 square feet, with interior designs costing millions.
The height of the building located on Plot No. 13 was initially approved by Civil Aviation at 82 feet but was later constructed at 102 feet. The new Civil Aviation guidelines have reduced the approved height to 60 feet, necessitating the demolition of a 33-foot extension.
Similarly, the building on Plot No. 30, originally approved for seven floors, was constructed as eight, with unauthorised structures on the roof needing to be removed.
The building on Plot No. 9 was approved for five floors but was constructed with an additional floor and unauthorised rooftop installations, which will need to be demolished.
In a letter dated 28 May 2025, the Civil Aviation Authority stated that the height of Priyanka Runway City’s six buildings exceeds the permissible limits, presenting risks to aviation. Consequently, they have recommended the demolition of parts of these buildings, and the matter has been forwarded to the Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (RAJUK).
Priyanka Runway City Managing Director and also the owner of Vertical-2 Saurabh Rahman emphasised that the building was constructed following the Civil Aviation Authority’s guidelines in 2019.
The recent reassessment of height has placed Rahman and other flat owners in a precarious position.
Rahman expressed his willingness to demolish the unauthorised rooftop structures but questioned who would compensate for the full demolition of the eighth floor due to Civil Aviation’s oversight.
The same issue of excessive height applies to five other buildings in the area. One of the owners, Md. Rezaul Islam, stated that while the unauthorised extensions will be removed, if the main building must be demolished and Civil Aviation does not provide compensation, they will take the matter to a higher court.
Actor Chanchal Chowdhury voiced his frustration, saying, “Due to the mistakes of both Civil Aviation and the developers, we are now facing a crisis. Who do we turn to for help?”
Masum Bashar echoed similar concerns, stating, “We purchased the flats based on official documents. If they are demolished due to Civil Aviation’s error, who will compensate us?”
Rajuk Chairman Engineer Md. Riazul Islam confirmed that the Civil Aviation Authority had initially approved the buildings based on their guidelines. Priyanka Runway City has complied with these regulations, and in a meeting with Rajuk, Civil Aviation has acknowledged its mistake.
“Therefore, those affected will demand compensation,” Islam stated. “We are working to ensure some compensation is provided to them.”
However, Civil Aviation’s Air Traffic Management Group Captain Md. Noor-I-Alam denied any fault, asserting that claims of discrepancies in building heights were untrue.
According to him, 87 buildings in the area have failed to adhere to the height policy.
A meeting was held on 22 July 2025 at Rajuk to discuss the necessary actions regarding the height violations of Priyanka Runway City’s six buildings. Civil Aviation, Priyanka City, and flat owners attended the meeting, and discussions focused on addressing unauthorised extensions while ensuring smooth air traffic.
The Civil Aviation Authority added that Shahjalal Airport has recently been upgraded to Category-2, and from 20 July 2025, the runway visibility requirement for pilots has been revised from 232 feet to 132 feet in compliance with international standards.