'DAP creates inequality, fiscal losses for property owners'

Landowners in Dhaka have raised serious concerns over the Dhaka Detailed Area Plan (DAP) 2022-2035, claiming that it has resulted in widespread inequality and financial losses for property owners.

Speaking at a press conference at the National Press Club on Sunday, Professor Dr Dewan M A Sajjad, Chief Coordinator of the Dhaka City Land Owners Association, said that the DAP had unfairly limited building heights and floor areas.

"Where a 10-story building could previously be constructed, now only five storeys or fewer are allowed. Over 200,000 landowners have directly been affected," he stated.

Dr Sajjad warned that the DAP's implementation disregards practical urban needs. "A little rain could flood the city due to a lack of water bodies. Some groups seem to be implementing policies that could cripple Dhaka. We are ready to use vertical space responsibly and provide land for roads and we are also ready to expand roads," he said.

The association also pressed a four-point demand which includes: DAP Rules 2022-35 should be announced and implemented in light of the previous people-friendly 'Dhaka Metropolitan Building Construction Rules 2008', also known as the Dhaka Imarat Nirman Bidhimala 2008, arbitrariness of 'discriminatory' DAP, FAR system and unit number should be abolished and setbacks should be kept tolerable according to the heights of the building, construction approval should be simplified and harassment by RAJUK should be stopped, and the 'Dhaka City Land Owners Association' must be included as a partner in all relevant departments.

The association also expressed its strong protest and anger at the fact that the Dhaka City Land Owners Association was not included in the ministry meeting on the amendment to DAP on August 10.

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