Bangladesh has yet to establish the Bangladesh Building Regulatory Authority, or BBRA, mandated under the 2020 Bangladesh National Building Code, leaving building safety oversight fragmented despite increasing seismic risks. The previous government assigned deputy commissioners to lead district building committees — an approach experts say contradicts the code and has weakened enforcement nationwide.
An interim committee of senior officials from the housing ministry, Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha, and the Public Works Department is now preparing documents to form the BBRA after a 5.7-magnitude earthquake killed at least 10 people and damaged about 300 buildings.
“Bangladesh needs a comprehensive physical plan. Earthquake risk, topography, and geological attributes must guide development. Otherwise even a moderate earthquake could cause severe damage,” said Adil Mohammed Khan, president of the Bangladesh Institute of Planners.
“The chief adviser directed the housing and public works ministry to examine whether a separate authority can be created for approving buildings across Bangladesh,” Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam said.