DHAKA: The government opts for giving a second thought to the much-debated Detailed Area Plan (DAP) amid ongoing protests by people who are to bear the brunt of expansion of the capital through massive acquisitions.
Several hundred people have been staging demonstrations in different areas of the city against the Plan for months, fearing loss of their lands and ancestral homesteads.
Premier Sheikh Hasina, through a mobile message, also assured protesters gathering for a rally that none would be forced to move out from one’s land.
Following the PM’s declaration, some government organizations also have started investigating into the matter. Based on inspections, the military intelligence agency Directorate General of Forces Intelligence (DGFI) is learnt to have prepared a four-page secret report on the drawbacks of implementing the DAP. The report was reported to have been submitted to the prime minister’s office, local government ministry and housing ministry on August 23.
According to sources, the report says the DAP Implementing Committee has already identified six government and 10 private projects, and 2724 industries as ‘non-confirming’ and proposed their removal ignoring massive protests from different quarters.
Meanwhile, an amount of Tk 5000 crore has already been invested in the government projects and over fifty percent of works completed. Besides, about 200 projects in Dhaka and its adjacent areas are being carried out. Out of those, only 26 projects have government approval and thousands of clients will have to incur huge losses if the projects are cancelled, the report added.
As reported, it is vital to formulate the plan based on opinions from architects, civil engineers, environmentalists, landscape designers, geologists, water experts, city planners, public representatives and real-estate companies.
The estimated area of the proposed DAP realm is 590 square miles or 1510 square Kilometers.
According to the report, if the DAP is implemented, 2724 industries and more than five lakh establishments set up illegally in Joydebpur, Gazipur, Tongi, Savar, Ashulia, Kaliakoir, Singair, Keraniganj, Rupganj, Belabo, Narayanganj Sadar, port and Dhaka city area will be bulldozed.
“A huge number of people as well as the economy will be affected following the eviction,” the reported was quoted as saying.
Besides, mass protests in Dhaka and adjacent areas will also take a serious turn if the DAP was executed, feared the intelligence outfit.
Awami League lawmakers from Dhaka and adjacent districts are giving anti-DAP statements, the report noted. Expressing its concern the report forecast the coming Parliament and DCC elections would be affected if the Plan was pushed through.
BDST 2200 HRS, AUG 28, 2010
