Construction of multi-storey buildings on agricultural land

Rows of multi-storey buildings have been built in the middle of agricultural land in Banshpukur, Kazipara and Chouhati villages of Hamidpur Union to the north of Barapukuria coal mine in Parbatipur, Dinajpur. Although they look like residential areas from a distance, most of the buildings are deserted and locked. There is no electricity connection or roads suitable for transportation. Despite this, new building construction continues.

Locals allege that agricultural land is being filled up and multi-storey buildings are being built without permission in the hope of getting more compensation if land is acquired for the expansion of Barapukuria coal mine. Locals claim that more than two hundred three-four-storey buildings have been built without following building codes, design approvals and safety regulations.

It has been learned from the investigation that most of these buildings do not have the approval of the Parbatipur Upazila Building Design Committee and the Hamidpur Union Parishad. Members of the Upazila Building Design Committee said they were not aware of the construction of such buildings. Since the discovery of coal mines in Barapukuria in 1985, 792.75 acres of land have been acquired so far. 

Locals claim that building construction has increased in the villages of the northern region since the decision to acquire more land as part of the mine expansion. Sources concerned said that when the district administration and the mining authority visited the area recently, they were prevented from taking pictures and videos with drones. The Parbatipur Upazila administration claims that the survey found the existence of 22 buildings for mine officials and employees.

 Hamidpur UP Chairman Rezwanul Haque said that about 150 buildings have been constructed in Banshpukur and Kazipara and about 50 in Chowhati. Only 40-50 have holdings. Such construction work has been going on for about two years. Hamidpur Union Land Assistant Officer Zaheduzzaman said that there are 9,502 acres of agricultural land in the union's 28 mouzas. Of this, only 1,03 acres is non-agricultural land. Agricultural land is rapidly decreasing due to the construction of multi-storey buildings.

Parbatipur Upazila Engineer and Building Design Committee Member Md. Manik Miah said that no one has applied for permission to construct multi-storey buildings in Banshpukur, Kazipara and Chouhati areas so far. He claimed that construction work is currently stopped.

Parbatipur Upazila Assistant Commissioner (Land) Md. Mahmud Hussain Raju said, "The buildings have been constructed without following the building code. A ban has already been imposed on taking rent in that area." The residents of the area demanded that the real victims be identified through a fair investigation and fair compensation be ensured.