Banani’s FR Tower where a deadly fire broke out on Thursday (Mar 28) was built in breach of RAJUK’s approved plan. The building owners later applied for permission which was declined.
Despite RAJUK’s rejection, the development authority took no steps against the building owners.
“The building plan was approved on Dec 12, 1996. They had permission for 18 floors only,” RAJUK Chairman Abdur Rahman told Bangla Tribune.
In addition to building 23 floors instead of the approved 18, many other rules were violated, he said and added that they were searching for those who were involved in the construction.
“The building owner presented another plan in front of us on Feb 23, 2005, which has does not resemble the plan in the RAJUK archive,” Rahman said.
He was, however, unable to provide any information on who was in charge back then.
Earlier in the day, Housing and Public Works Minister Rezaul Karim warned of revoking the license of the engineers involved with the building as well as searching for the concerned authorities.
On Thursday (Mar 28) a deadly fire broke out on the ninth floor of the multi-storied FR Tower at Banani.
Over 20 firefighting worked for over six hours to douse the fire that has claimed 19 lives and injured scores.