Landowners besiege Rajuk demanding cancellation of DAP

A group of landowners on Tuesday besieged Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (Rajuk) Bhaban demanding cancellation of Detailed Area Plan (DAP) and protesting ‘irregularities and corruption’ in Rajuk.

The protesters, under the banner of ‘Dhaka City Landowners’ Association’ staged demonstrations in front of the Rajuk in Motijheel of Dhaka in the morning.

Md Majed, a landowner, alleged “I own a little over three kathas of land. But after we gave up our land, they only allowed the construction of a five-storey building, whereas I had asked for permission to build eight storeys — which they denied. We want permission for high-rise buildings in exchange for the land.”

Real-estate employee Farhan said they can’t construct structures over the five-storey in all areas due to the DAP restriction of the Rajuk, causing losses of their firm.

Several landowners alleged that due to irregularities and corruption by the Rajuk officials there has been a complication in implementing plans for a long time.

General people can no longer build houses without bribe, they alleged.

The Rajuk chairman could not be reached over mobile phone despite repeated attempts.

Notably, on August 24, 2022, the DAP published by Rajuk was released in gazette form with the aim of reducing the issues in capital Dhaka and building a planned city.

This law was enacted for area-based population density distribution, urban development lines, transit-based development, setting standards for citizen amenities, block-based development, and development rights exchange.