Housing and Public Works Minister Zakaria Taher said that laws, regulations and policies governing building construction in the country were not properly enforced over the past 17 years. Despite sewerage treatment plants and soak wells being included in approved building designs, many developer companies did not construct them. “We’ll ensure that no one can construct buildings beyond the approved designs in the future,” he said.

He made the remarks at an exchange meeting with members of the Real Estate and Housing Association of Bangladesh (REHAB) and the Bangladesh Land Developers Association at the conference room of the ministry at the Secretariat on Sunday.

State Minister for Housing and Public Works Ahmad Sohel Manzur, Rajuk Chairman Engineer Reazul Islam and Additional Secretary Abdul Matin were present at the meeting.

The minister also said members of REHAB and the Bangladesh Land Developers Association must remain vigilant to ensure that no buildings or housing projects are developed in violation of the law.

The state minister said developers should give serious consideration to the difficulties faced by customers. Many people pay for flats or apartments years in advance but still don’t receive the properties they were promised. Others, who are unable to continue instalment payments under their contracts for various reasons, have been waiting three or four years to receive refunds of their deposited money. “Their cases should be considered from a humanitarian perspective,” he said.

At the meeting, leaders of REHAB and the Bangladesh Land Developers Association expressed their firm commitment to constructing buildings and developing housing projects in compliance with laws and regulations. They also presented their views on the Detailed Area Plan (DAP) for Dhaka Metropolitan City and the Dhaka Metropolitan Building Construction Rules.