DHAKA, Jan 23 (NNN-BSS) – Bangladesh began demolition of “illegally constructed” 16-storey headquarters building, of the country’s thousands of apparel exporters.
Public Works and Housing Minister, SM Rezaul Karim, inaugurated the demolition activities of the building, used for more than a decade, as the headquarters of BGMEA (Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association), on Wednesday.
The demolition of the building will be done mechanically over a period of six months, the minister told reporters on the spot.
“We’ve taken all necessary measures to avoid accidents during demolition of the mega structure.”
RAJUK (Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha), the development authority of the capital, Dhaka, is supervising the entire demolition activities.
Bangladesh’s Supreme Court, in Nov, 2016, released the full text of its verdict, in which it upheld a High Court judgement that ordered BGMEA to demolish the building at its own cost, otherwise, relevant government authorities will demolish within 90 days of receiving the order and realise the cost from BGMEA.
BGMEA sought a three-year timeline for shifting away from the building, after it lost its final review appeal in the Supreme Court.
Bangladeshi High Court in its judgement termed the building as a “cancer” in the middle of Dhaka’s picturesque Hatirjheel lake.
BGMEA is considered a powerful trade body in Bangladesh, representing thousands of factory owners in ready-made garment sector, which contribute more than three-quarters of the country’s export incomes.
Bangladesh’s over 34-billion-U.S. dollar apparel export sector, comprises thousands of factories, employing millions of workers, 80 percent of whom are women.
The High Court verdict order said the BGMEA building was built on land acquired through forgery.
No commercial establishment can be set up without the environment clearance from the Department of Environment as stated in Section 12 of the Environment Conservation Act 1995 and Rule 7(4) of the Environment Conservation Rules 1997, read the High Court verdict.– NNN-BSS
