Basement car park spaces to be freed from occupancy

Basement car park spaces at all the commercial and residential buildings would be freed from illegal occupancy to help resolve horrendous traffic problem particularly in the capital, the housing and public works ministry decided at a meeting yesterday.

According to a press release, a committee comprising of all the relevant authorities and led by Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (Rajuk) in the capital and similar authorities in Chittagong, Khulna and Rajshahi each will launch drives within a week.

Access ramps built occupying footpaths and roads would also be removed during the eviction drives.

The meeting chaired by Housing Minister Mosharraf Hossain concluded that random on-street parking as a consequence of illegal occupancy of designated car park in the basements of buildings enormously contributes to traffic congestion.

Designated basement car parking spaces at different buildings are occupied with illegal shops, restaurants and other establishments, the meeting resolved.

Actions would also be taken against illegal commercialisation of residential buildings with shops, restaurants, hotels, guesthouse, spa, massage parlour, clinics and schools, the meeting decided.

Dhaka North City Corporation Mayor Annisul Huq and Dhaka South City Corporation Mayor Mohammad Sayeed Khokon and chairmen of Dhaka, Chittagong, Khulna and Rajshahi development authorities among others attended the meeting.