BGMEA building yet to be vacated; Rajuk seals it off
The occupants of the BGMEA complex are dragging their feet in vacating the illegal structure, failing to clear out the building yesterday, which was the deadline from the Rajuk.
The one-year deadline granted by the High Court for vacating the 15-storey building on Hatirjheel wetland had ended on April 12.
On April 16, the Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (Rajuk) went to the BGMEA complex with police and bulldozers, all ready to bring down the building as per a High Court judgement.
But it had to forfeit the plan upon seeing the building still occupied. The Rajuk then gave the deadline of 5pm yesterday.
Throughout the day, building occupants were seen moving out their belongings.
“We may need at least four days for removing our office equipment and other installations,” said Abdul Wahed, chairman of DBL Group, which occupied four floors in the building.
The headquarters of DBL Group was on floors 10, 11, 12 and 13. The company will seek more time for removal of its installations and furniture.
The Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) has already moved most of its belongings to its new building in Uttara Sector 17, which was inaugurated by the prime minister on April 3.
The Rajuk sealed off the building at 5:30pm yesterday.
“If they need further time, the authorities will decide on it,” Rajuk Zonal Director Khandaker Oliur Rahman told The Daily Star.
The authorities received several applications from occupants seeking opportunity to remove their assets still remaining inside the illegally-constructed building and vacate it, he added.
Meanwhile, Housing and Public Works Minister SM Rezaul Karim said on Wednesday that the building would be demolished in three months' time.
The government has already floated a tender calling for qualified companies to participate in the bidding for demolition of the building, he said, adding that they would invite foreign companies if local companies are not interested.
The interested companies have been asked to submit proposals by April 24 as the government is scheduled to scrutinise and take the decision by April 25.
