RAJUK (Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha) has directed plot owners in Modhumoti Model Town, a housing project in Dhaka’s Aminbazar, to remove all structures from the area. The capital development authority has also ordered the removal of sand that was used to fill the land, as it was part of a wetland, and instructed owners to restore the site to its original condition.
If the owners fail to comply, RAJUK stated that it would initiate an operation to demolish the structures and revert the site to its prior state.
Modhumoti Model Town was developed by filling the wetlands in Bilamalia and Boliarpur mouzas in Aminbazar, areas identified as flood flow zones in RAJUK’s master plan. The project was executed by Metro Makers & Developers Ltd, which sold the plots without registration or approval, according to RAJUK’s statement.
The Bangladesh Environmental Lawyers Association (BELA) filed a writ petition against the project, and after a final hearing, the Supreme Court’s Appellate Division ruled that Modhumoti Model Town was illegal. The court also ordered that the land be restored to its previous condition, maintaining its status as a flood flow area.
RAJUK’s detailed area plan identifies the location as a primary watercourse basin or natural water body. BELA had initially challenged the project in the High Court on August 14, 2004, and on July 27, 2005, the court declared the Aminbazar project unauthorized, illegal, and detrimental to public interest.
