The Dhaka City Land Owners Association has called for the suspension of the newly introduced Detailed Area Plan (DAP) for 2022-2035 and urged the government to implement a new building construction law in line with the 2008 Building Construction Rules.
Professor Dewan M A Sajjad, Chief Coordinator of the association, made these comments during a press conference at the National Press Club in Dhaka. He emphasized that the new DAP drastically reduces the allowable building height and area, resulting in significant financial losses for landowners.
Dr. Sajjad also criticized the reduction of unit count per katha and the Floor Area Ratio (FAR), claiming that regulatory bodies like RAJUK have disadvantaged landowners and created an unfair situation. He explained that in the past, landowners could construct up to 10-story buildings on their plots, but the new DAP limits them to just 5 stories.
He went on to accuse some authorities of approving buildings in exchange for bribes, a practice he said is undermining the development process and violating ethical standards.
The association also expressed concerns over the lack of adequate planning for road construction and environmental development in Dhaka. They have called for the reimplementation of the 2008 building construction rules, the removal of the discriminatory FAR system, and a more straightforward construction approval process.
Professor Sajjad warned that if their demands are ignored, the association will seek legal action in the highest courts of Bangladesh and, if necessary, take the matter to international courts. The press conference concluded with the association’s leaders answering various questions from the media.