Md. Nazmul Hossain Emon, Chittagong

The picture of planned urbanization in Chittagong metropolis is fading day by day. Although the Chittagong Development Authority (CDA) has approved the designs of about 30,000 buildings in the last 15 years, 99 percent of them have been built outside the approved designs.

This picture has emerged from the organization's own observations. According to urban planners, long-standing weak supervision, lax implementation of laws and lack of accountability are responsible for this situation.

According to CDA data, the agency has approved the designs of 29,700 buildings from 2009 to 2024. Most of these buildings have already been completed. But a recent review has shown that only 1 percent of the buildings have been constructed according to the approved designs. Almost all the remaining buildings have more or less irregularities.

Sources said that in some places, mandatory open space (setback) has not been kept in front, on the sides and behind the building. In some places, buildings have been built by encroaching on the road. Again, there have been cases of buildings up to 10 floors being built with permission for six floors. Most of the buildings have not been provided with designated parking facilities. As a result, experts believe that the risk of disasters such as traffic jams, waterlogging, fires and earthquakes is increasing.

Chittagong Development Authority Chairman Engineer Belayet Hossain said, "Many people take approved designs and then build buildings completely differently in reality. The space that is supposed to be kept in front, back and sides is not respected. The environment and beauty of the city have been severely damaged due to cutting down hills and constructing buildings on canals and drains."

He said there are plans to develop satellite towns to reduce pressure on the city. In addition, strict monitoring will be carried out to ensure that the design is followed in the construction of buildings.

However, the question has arisen that whether the design is being followed in the construction of buildings or not—it is the responsibility of the CDA to supervise that. However, in the last one and a half decades, that supervision has not been done effectively. As a result, urban planners say that irregularities have become a normal practice.

Urban engineer Delwar Majumder said, "If the punishment is less than the benefits gained by breaking the law, then no one will obey the rules. The CDA has to rely on the district administration magistrate and police to take action against illegal buildings. Because of this, the drive often stops. If an integrated city administration is established, implementing the law will be much easier."

The CDA has announced a strict stance to prevent irregularities. The organization says that if there is a deviation from the approved design, initiatives will be taken to prevent gas, electricity and water connections to the concerned building.

Chairman Belayet Hossain said, "After the design is approved, the building must be constructed according to that design. If there is a deviation, the necessary utility connections will not be provided. Our goal is to build a planned, green and aesthetic Chittagong, overcoming the irregularities of the past."

Meanwhile, the CDA said that a committee formed by the Ministry of Housing and Public Works is also working to stop the construction of unauthorized and unplanned buildings. However, the question for city residents is who is responsible for the long-standing irregularities, and how effective this new strictness will be in practice - that remains to be seen.