Rajuk estimates scrap value after receiving quotations

Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha is estimating scrap value of 15-storey BGMEA building although five firms have already submitted tenders in response to its invitation in April for demolishing the building illegally standing on Hatirjheel.
Rajuk officials said that they were now looking for the structural plan of the building to estimate the scrap value of the 15-year-old building and its belongings.
The move came after a technical committee meeting at the housing and public works ministry, chaired by housing secretary Md Shahid Ullah Khandokar, on May 30 asked Rajuk to estimate the scrap value of the building.
Shahid Ullah told New Age on Wednesday that he ordered the estimation as the scrap value was not estimated before inviting tender for demolishing the building in April following an Appellate Division order.
Housing minister SM Rezaul Karim said that the estimation of the scrap value was a mere formality having no impact on the tender or demolition of the building.
‘I have ordered Rajuk to issue work order to the highest bidder and there is no scope of reviewing it,’ he said.
After signing the contract, the bidder would need to demolish the building at his own expenditure in three months without damaging the adjacent areas or creating any public or environmental problem.
Of the five bidders, Salam and Brothers bid the highest Tk 1.7 crore for the usable remains of the BGMEA building to be taken by the company after demolishing the building at its own cost, Rajuk officials said.
Rajuk took control of the BGMEA building on April 16 following an Appellate Division order.
On April 2, 2018, the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court for the third time extended the time limit until April 11, 2019 for demolition of the building by the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association.
On April 3, 2011, the High Court declared the building illegal and ordered the BGMEA to demolish it within 90 days. The court also ordered Rajuk to pull down the building and realise the cost from the association if it failed to meet the deadline.
Following a New Age report on October 2, 2010, the High Court in a suo moto rule asked the government to explain why it would not be directed to demolish the BGMEA building built illegally on government land in violation of the laws on the conservation of environment and the capital’s wetlands.

News Courtesy: www.newagebd.net