RAJUK Plans One-Stop Service to Expedite Building Plan Approvals

The government has taken an initiative to introduce a one-stop service at the Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (RAJUK) to reduce delays and public hassles in the approval process for building plans.
Under the proposed system, applicants will be able to submit their applications at a single designated location within a stipulated timeframe, with arrangements being made for faster processing and approval.

At the same time, the Parliamentary Standing Committee on the Ministry of Housing and Public Works has taken a firm stance against the practice of unnecessarily extending the duration and cost of government development projects by contractors.

The committee said it would regularly inspect and monitor development projects to ensure transparency and accountability and assess whether any proposed increase in project costs or implementation periods is justified.

Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Iqbal, a member of the committee, disclosed the information while speaking to journalists after the committee's first meeting at the Jatiya Sangsad on Monday.

The meeting was chaired by committee Chairman Md. Rezaul Karim Badsha and attended by committee members and relevant officials.

One-stop service for RAJUK approvals
Following the meeting, Iqbal said applicants currently have to visit several government agencies, including the Fire Service and Civil Defence and the Department of Environment, during the building-plan approval process.

This has increased public inconvenience and contributed to delays in development activities, he said.

To address the problem, a proposal has been made to introduce a one-stop service, where applications for building-plan approval will be received and processed at a single location within a specified timeframe.

He said necessary instructions have already been given to the relevant officials and that the minister and RAJUK chairman have agreed to the initiative.

Strict monitoring of project costs and deadlines
Regarding the unnecessary extension of project timelines and costs, Iqbal said ensuring accountability in the implementation of government development projects is one of the key responsibilities of the parliamentary standing committee.

As part of this responsibility, the committee will inspect and monitor various development projects and assess the justification for any increase in project costs or implementation periods.

If irregularities, lack of transparency or corruption are detected, necessary action will be taken, he said.

“There will be no scope for the kind of irregularities and corruption seen in the past,” Iqbal said, adding that contractors would not be allowed to extend project deadlines without valid justification.

Review of housing regulations
Addressing the housing shortage and the construction of affordable apartments, Iqbal said certain complexities in existing urban regulations are creating obstacles for the housing sector.

He particularly pointed to complications related to the Floor Area Ratio (FAR), saying many land developers are facing difficulties in implementing housing projects because of regulatory constraints.

According to him, the issue is being reviewed by experts. Work is also underway on regulations related to the Detailed Area Plan (DAP) and urban housing.

He said the absence of a comprehensive housing regulation framework has created difficulties for land developers and that steps are being taken to address the issue. Efforts are underway to approve the relevant regulations before the committee's next meeting.

Measures against unplanned urbanisation
The parliamentary committee also discussed measures to curb unplanned urbanisation.

Iqbal said the meeting discussed the possibility of bringing buildings that were constructed in accordance with regulations but did not obtain approved designs under RAJUK's regulatory framework through specified fines or penalties and subsequently regularising them where legally permissible.

He said ensuring public convenience is one of the committee's key objectives and that its members are committed to working according to people's expectations.

The ministry has also agreed with the committee's position, he added.

Iqbal said the committee's first meeting was held in a cordial atmosphere. Necessary instructions were given to ministry officials and representatives of relevant agencies to ensure greater transparency and accountability in government activities.

He also said Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has pledged to ensure transparency and accountability in government operations.