Staff Correspondent

Housing and Public Works Minister Zakaria Taher announced on Wednesday that a set of regulations is currently being formulated to address buildings constructed without approved plans or in violation of sanctioned building plans.

Addressing the "Smart City Conclave 2026" organized by Bonik Barta as chief guest at Hotel Sheraton in Banani, the minister highlighted government initiatives to ensure urban planning oversight and building code compliance across the country.

"Over the past seven months, we have established six new development authorities in Mymensingh, Sylhet, Cumilla, Narayanganj, Rangpur, and Barishal, expanding beyond the existing four, with plans to establish one in Bogura in the future," the minister said. 

Highlighting urban sanitation challenges, Minister Taher noted that 70 to 80 percent of residences in Gulshan and Banani failed to construct required septic tanks and soak wells specified in their original designs.

Under new structural reforms, building plan approvals will require comprehensive architectural, structural, and electrical designs. Occupancy certificates will only be issued upon certification by original designers confirming that construction adhered precisely to approved plans. 

Moderated by Bonik Barta Editor Dewan Hanif Mahmud, the conclave gathered key policymakers, planners, engineers, and industry leaders. Speakers included East Coast Group Chairman Azam J Chowdhury, BSMA President Md. Jahangir Alam, GMEAB President Nasim Biswas, Space Zero Limited Managing Director Md. Foyez Ullah, DBH Finance PLC Managing Director Nasimul Baten, ABC Real Estate Limited Managing Director Srabanti Datta, BUET Civil Engineering Department Head Prof. Dr. Ishtiaque Ahmed, and Jahangirnagar University Urban and Regional Planning Professor Dr. Adil Mohammad Khan.