Dhaka, March 01 (V7N) – A year has passed since the devastating Cozy Cottage fire on Bailey Road, but none of the six key recommendations from the RAJUK investigation committee have been implemented. Experts and urban planners now warn that Dhaka remains at extreme fire risk, with little effort from authorities to prevent future tragedies.

Lack of Accountability and Implementation

Following the February 29, 2024 fire, which claimed multiple lives, RAJUK (Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha) proposed six urgent measures to improve fire safety and building compliance. However, urban planning expert Dr. Adil Muhammad Khan, Executive Director of the Institute for Planning and Development (IPD), stated that the authorities only reacted temporarily due to media pressure, but soon returned to business as usual.

"RAJUK is approving building designs, but they are not ensuring whether buildings are constructed and used properly. There has been no disciplinary action against any inspector or officer despite clear negligence," said Dr. Adil.

RAJUK’s Six Unimplemented Recommendations

  1. Occupancy Certificates Before Utility Connections

    • RAJUK recommended that buildings should not receive gas, water, or electricity without an occupancy certificate.
    • However, utility services continue to be provided early in construction, allegedly due to pressure from business groups and government agencies' financial interests.

  2. Reporting Irregularities in Construction

    • Building architects, engineers, and RAJUK inspectors were expected to report construction violations.
    • No such reports have been submitted in the past year, despite hundreds of new buildings being constructed.

  3. Regular Inspections by Gas and LP Gas Suppliers

    • RAJUK urged Titas Gas and private LP gas suppliers to inspect buildings for safety compliance.
    • No such inspections have been reported, and illegal gas connections continue through bribery and corruption.

  4. Mandatory Fire Drills for Tall Buildings

    • Buildings five stories or higher were required to conduct fire drills every three months.
    • Only a handful of buildings have voluntarily conducted fire drills, with no strict enforcement by Fire Service and Civil Defense.

  5. Mandatory Fire Licenses for Occupancy Certificate Approval

    • The fire department has taken some measures, but corruption in RAJUK’s occupancy certification process has discouraged most building owners from obtaining proper licenses.
    • 95% of RAJUK-approved buildings lack occupancy certificates, yet authorities have not enforced compliance.

  6. Ban on Commercial Activities in Residential Buildings

    • RAJUK and the city corporations were instructed not to issue trade licenses for commercial operations in residential buildings.
    • City corporation officials continue issuing trade licenses, claiming revenue collection targets override zoning laws.

Repeated Tragedies, No Reforms

The Cozy Cottage fire is only one of several major disasters in Dhaka’s recent history:

  • Churihatta Fire (Chawkbazar, 2019) – 71 dead
  • FR Tower Fire (Banani, 2019) – 26 dead
  • Nimtoli Fire (Old Dhaka, 2010) – 124 dead

In each case, investigation reports made similar recommendations, yet no real change followed.

Authorities Defend Their Actions

RAJUK Chairman Major General (Retd.) Siddiqur Rahman claimed:
"The Bangladesh Building Regulatory Authority is working to reduce fire accidents. We are inspecting buildings and coordinating with city corporations."

However, urban planners argue that these efforts are superficial and ineffective.

Fire Service Director Tajul Islam Chowdhury stated:
"The fire service is conducting drills and responding to fires daily, but the overall responsibility for implementation lies with multiple agencies."

Meanwhile, DSCC Chief Urban Planner Sirajul Islam emphasized the need for public awareness, urging residents to follow building codes for fire safety.

Conclusion: Dhaka Still at Risk

Despite repeated tragedies, government agencies have failed to take concrete action to enforce fire safety regulations. Experts warn that without proper enforcement, another disaster is inevitable.

With thousands of unregulated buildings, corruption in occupancy certification, and a lack of accountability, Dhaka continues to be a fire-prone city, putting millions of lives at risk.

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