Economy
Buildings without Fire Safety are ordered to be demolished from March
Fire service and city corporation officials are to start a drive against buildings and factories without fire safety plans from next week. The decision comes after a fire at a high-rise building in Gulshan on Sunday (19 February) killed at least 2 people and injured many.
Firefighters found that during construction, the owners obtained a no-objection certificate from the fire service, but they didn’t get an approved fire safety plan which is mandatory under the fire prevention act.
Brig Gen Md Main Uddin, director general of Fire Service and Civil Defence, told reporters that buildings that do not comply with fire safety rules will be identified. “We will check if they have fire safety plans and licences,” he said, urging city dwellers to be aware of fire safety rules.
The fire service last year inspected 5,869 establishments and buildings, including the government ones, and found 617 buildings “very risky” and 1,606 “risky”.
In Dhaka, officials inspected 1,162 buildings and marked 136 “very risky” and 499 “risky”. Besides, numerous chemical and plastic factories and storage facilities are operated illegally in old Dhaka. A fire at a chemical storage facility in old Dhaka’s Churihatta cost 71 lives in 2019.
Asked about these factories, Brig Gen Main Uddin said the fire service has stopped providing licences to them. The fire service is working with the city corporations and Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (Rajuk) to identify the buildings that are not built as per the Bangladesh National Building Code, he said.
“We have 14,000 trained firefighters. We also have advanced equipment. But these certainly will not be enough if there is a major disaster. We are continuing our training and drills to prepare for disasters.
“We have 50,000 volunteers. The target was 62,000. We have trained over one lakh garment workers. Everyone is training their family members and communities. Besides, we are providing training in schools and colleges.”
The fire service is in discussions with the ministry concerned to procure modern equipment.
A fire service delegation that went to Turkey after the recent earthquake has returned after rescuing a girl and recovering 23 bodies, he added.
Expatriate Bangladeshis sent approximately US$ 2.11 billion in remittances during the first 28 days of September in the fiscal year 2024-25, according to data released by Bangladesh Bank on 29 September.
Of this total, state-owned and specialised banks handled $679.10 million, while private banks received $1.43 billion in remittances.
Chief Adviser to Bangladesh’s interim government, Professor Muhammad Yunus, has vowed to expedite reforms and hold elections swiftly. Yunus, who recently assumed the role after the collapse of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s 15-year administration, expressed his commitment during an interview with Tokyo-based news outlet NHK WORLD in New York on Sunday. He was attending the United Nations General Assembly at the time.
Following mass student-led protests that ended Hasina’s long-standing rule in August, Yunus stepped in as the leader of the caretaker government. Known for founding Grameen Bank, an institution providing microloans to the underprivileged, Yunus, along with the bank, earned the Nobel Peace Prize in 2006 for his efforts in poverty alleviation.
During the interview, Yunus emphasized that the interim government’s primary mission is to implement reforms promptly and ensure elections are held as soon as the groundwork is complete. He underscored the importance of success, stating, “Failure is not something that we can accept.”
Addressing the pivotal role of students in the ousting of the Hasina administration, Yunus acknowledged the sacrifices made by young people, referring to their involvement as part of a “revolution.” He highlighted his intention to engage the younger generation in shaping policy.
Furthermore, Yunus called for continued support from Japan, Bangladesh’s largest donor, during this crucial transition period. He stressed that Japan’s assistance is vital to stabilizing Bangladesh’s economy and fostering a democratic foundation in the nation.
Syeda Rizwana Hasan, the Adviser for Environment, Forests, and Climate Change, announced today that steps will be taken to restrict the use of polythene shopping bags to safeguard future generations.
Starting from October 1, polythene bags will be banned in shopping malls, followed by a ban in kitchen markets from November 1.
“Everyone must take responsibility and stop using polythene voluntarily. Action against polythene producers will begin from November 1,” Rizwana Hasan stated during a seminar.
The Department of Environment (DoE) organized the seminar to raise public awareness about alternatives to banned polythene bags.
Rizwana Hasan highlighted that the restriction on polythene will be executed in phases according to legal provisions, and discussions with shopping centers and store owners are ongoing to ensure a smooth transition.
She also announced plans to make the government secretariat a plastic-free zone by December.
Other speakers at the seminar included Environment Secretary Dr. Farhina Ahmed, DoE Director General Dr. Abdul Hamid, Director Rajinara Begum, President of the Shop Owners Association Muhammad Helal Uddin, and Md. Arifur Rahman Bhuiyan, Assistant Professor of Environmental Science at BUP. They discussed the harmful effects of polythene and the need for alternative products.
Earlier, Rizwana Hasan inaugurated a fair showcasing eco-friendly alternatives to polythene bags and visited 24 stalls. The fair featured products from government and private entrepreneurs, including reusable bags, jute bags, paper bags, and items made from bamboo and cane.
