Chattogram: Chattogram Development Authority (CDA) has initiated a demolition operation against a multi-storied building that is being constructed illegally by cutting down a hill in the northern part of Askar Dighi in the city.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the developer organization, Swapnil Family Owners, is constructing three separate buildings for 92 families at the ‘Grindledge Bank Hill’ area near SS Khaled Road in the Askar Dighi Par area. Despite obtaining initial approval from CDA in April 2023 for a three-basement and 17-story building, the developers disregarded the 87 conditions imposed, including the prohibition of hill-cutting.
CDA Chairman Engineer Nurul Karim, along with senior officials, visited the operation site. The 127-foot high hill, partially owned by 92 individuals, including local businessmen, was subject to construction conditions that the developers failed to meet. The developers had erected high tin fences around the site, allegedly to conceal the illegal hill-cutting, and commenced construction without compliance.
CDA Special Magistrate Muhammad Nazrul Islam noted that after CDA ordered a halt to the construction due to hill damage, the building owners filed a writ petition in the High Court on April 30, 2024. The High Court initially granted a stay on CDA’s directive, allowing construction to continue, but the CDA appealed to the Chamber Judge of the Appellate Division, which suspended the High Court’s ruling for eight weeks following a hearing on April 20.
During the demolition, Special Magistrate Nazrul Islam stated, “We have started this eviction operation in line with the higher court’s order. The construction caused environmental damage by cutting the hill, and we are now proceeding to demolish the illegal structure.”